The Mage then left the dormitory with the three adepts summoned for the meeting that was about to begin. When they were a few blocks away from the adepts' temporary residence, the Mage, who was focused on the path, inclined his head towards the three following him at a rhythmic pace and let out a complementary comment as he resumed walking at a more relaxed pace, which was matched by the adepts behind him.
"You will also participate in this investigation… I know you've already been tested in various ways just this morning, which could have been so much more… mild, but I ask that you have a little more patience. I assure you that from the official investigators there will be no threats or riddles this time. They will be more formal questions to try to outline an official version of what happened, using all the witnesses who were present."
At that moment, he paused to think about Nefuri, who had been removed from the picture by the regional inspector. He seemed to want to find a solution for such an unforeseen event but returned to his explanation to the adepts following him. "There are truly meticulous entities in the highest echelons who appreciate all kinds of details; even the ambient temperature and wind speeds are interesting for them to know," the old Mage finally said, raising his eyebrows and sighing, as if he found it all a bit excessive but understood those who deemed it valid.
"Do these investigators have anything to do with the regional inspector who graced us with his… unpalatable presence?" asked Lacendir, not mincing words, for after recent events, he no longer seemed so shy about speaking his mind in front of Mirir-Roi.
"I understand your question, Lacendir, but next time avoid illustrating influential positions in the Order with negative airs, alright, my dear adept?" Mirir chose to reprimand Lacendir first, but in a milder way so as not to make the adept feel less at ease with him.
"Ah, of course, Mage! I apologize for my mistake!" Lacendir finally became embarrassed after realizing he had gone too far in his statement.
"If he apologizes, I should do the same, Mage, for even though I didn't say it to you, I already shared Lacendir's opinion," interceded Santimar, confessing that he also deserved the same reprimand as his friend, if that was to be.
"And me too, Mage…" In Noara's case, she didn't feel the least bit guilty for agreeing with the others, but if it was the Mage reprimanding them, it was difficult for her to deny such correction.
The Mage gave a light pause on the route they were taking towards the Hall of Masters. He seemed to admire the three adepts following him with sincerity, but then continued.
"It gives me reasons to praise the heavens, to witness such dedication to justice and honesty as I see transpiring from you, my noble adepts. But understand… not everything is as it seems, even if there may be strong indications to the contrary. Therefore, I ask that you focus on the meeting, for it is there that the proper clarity you will need to deal with the still unknown motivations behind certain… machinations that surround us will begin. For now, I ask that you have faith and patience, and everything else will be revealed in due time." He rested his speech on this last phrase; it seemed that it also served the old Mage, who almost entered into full communion with some sacred path invisible to the others, but then returned to himself again.
"Ah yes, regarding your original question, honored Lacendir, the official investigators I refer to report to Aruk-Roi himself, our Mage responsible for updating and preserving the Segmentary Codices—the codices that continue the Origin Codices. You certainly remember him during your arcane reading classes, although he is known to be so engrossed in his own studies that he barely interacts with adepts or apprentices when he shares the Ethimolos Academy library with them… Anyway, the reappearance of an Inciferus is certainly cause for addition to the codices, and Mage Aruk made himself available with emphatic solicitude as soon as he learned of the case. I imagine he can hardly wait to be aware of everything he can. Furthermore, it is natural that the Kingdom where our own headquarters is located is also interested in the progress of this case; it happened in their territory, after all. So, the investigation will be partially joint and will have the presence of some officials of the Kingdom initially as listeners, but it is to be expected that some of them will want to make their own inquiries when they deem it convenient. So, Santimar, it is advisable especially for you to have your mind in place and not lose focus or hesitate to answer anything, for as you well perceived, many eyes are upon you." Mirir-Roi finally responded when they had resumed walking.
"So you already know about our conversation with the twins? By the way, how are you aware of so many events at the same time, Mage? If I may know." Santimar's curiosity about Mirir's ability seemed to want to wait no longer.
"My dear Santimar, when you listen to the birds, what do you hear? Or when a pleasant breeze graces you suddenly, what do you feel? Everything in this life carries a message with it, and we don't always need to go after it to receive it. It is enough that we are in agreement with the greater forces that govern the universe for it to be opportune for us to know whatever the subject may be. Therefore, the most important thing is that we stay in tune with these same forces, in tune with God, rather than seeking answers in earthly shortcuts that often confuse us instead of clarifying us. And to achieve such tuning, it is crucial to know how to feel what is true and know how to surrender to what makes us feel the truth."
Once again, Santimar found himself honored to savor the innate wisdom of his Mage. As they walked through the Central Square of the city, the adept from Onat began to contemplate what Mirir-Roi's youth must have been like, how he used to act when he was his age, and what he would have to do to reach that same level he saw illustrated in the old Mage today. It was certainly a golden goal he had in his life. *Knowing how to feel*—that seemed to be his first step.
Noara watched Santimar affectionately as she saw him immersed in reflection. She realized it had something to do with the admiration he clearly expressed for Mirir-Roi as they proceeded to the Hall of Masters, which already appeared at the end of the street they took. She liked what she saw; the Mage was indeed an illustrious model of a person to follow, perhaps one of the best she knew. It was no wonder he was one of the Order's Mages, she considered. She soon found herself thinking if Santimar felt such admiration for her as well. She then felt compelled to improve herself more and more, inspired by her beloved adept.
Lacendir, on the other hand, was introspective, which was not common for him. He saw in the approaching destiny the urgent answer he sought for himself about why he had been called—a question that persisted in his mind since Santimar informed him that he too had been called to meet with the Order's Mages in their closed meeting. Was it because of his friendship with him? Lacendir did not see himself as inferior to his friend in any way; in their differences, he saw himself as an equal and knew that this notion was reciprocal on the part of his friend. But that snippet of the prophecy really seemed to be about Santimar. He also wondered what would become of his family in all this, for protecting them was his highest priority, even in the face of the dictates of the Order he was part of.
Mirir seemed to meditate during the rest of the journey. They finally crossed another alley that made the long-awaited Hall of Masters appear at the end of a beautiful main street, as imposing as its name inspired it to be.
The Hall of Masters rose with a dome-type vault in its central area, with seven pillars standing at each extremity of its edifice, forming a heptagram at its base. At the top of each pillar was a gleaming statue made of solid gold representing one of the seven Mages of the first Order. And at the summit of the vault was a huge jewel, predominantly ruby, but which seemed to have another more mysterious coloration depending on the observer's point of view. This same jewel was carved with the design of the main symbol of the Order of Yatar, which was a crescent moon with an arrow piercing it through the middle. Santimar had never stopped to think about it before, but one of the seven statues always seemed to have been made in a style more different than the others. With the new information he had access to in recent days, the adept soon concluded that the statue representing Irtimox had been replaced, which indicated that there was a new Mage representing the seven Mages of the first Order. He just couldn't tell who it was, considering that the seven statues had no name engraved or a carved face on them; what distinguished one from the other were unique symbols seen on each. It certainly wasn't the first time the adepts had seen such a building, but it was the first time they would enter it. And now that they were before its gates, they suddenly felt nervous about what awaited them.
"Don't worry, for there is no better place for you now than the very ambit where the Order's Mages dialogue among themselves. Be assured of that," said Mage Mirir while making a sign in front of the gates, raising his right arm and then rotating it clockwise just once. In response, the gates began to open by themselves.
The daylight filled the building's inner courtyard, revealing the beautiful murals that surrounded all the walls of its area already exposed in front of the adepts. These murals illustrated marked points of the different eras of Ewahara, from Tir'Zuno's revelations to his first apprentices, the creation of the first Order, and the victory of the first war of Verentia. At the inner gate, which was at the end of the inner courtyard and led to the Mages' hall proper, all the Mages who would participate in this meeting were already waiting. However, Santimar wouldn't be able to tell if anyone was missing, for he didn't know all the Mages of the order, not even all the King-Mages. Only Vezad Dhir-Roi was familiar to him among those who occupied the highest positions within the Order, and he could see him right there, in the center of the Mages who were waiting for them between the entrance courtyard and the hall. The King-Mage Vezad was wearing a large mantle with a triple layer, and each layer had a different color: green, blue, and brown. And each color seemed to vibrate slightly between lighter and darker shades as if the mantle itself were truly alive. And behold, the millennial King-Mage took a step forward and addressed the adepts.
"Greetings, aspiring members of our Order. It is with great satisfaction that I receive you for the first time here in the hall of the Mages. I hope this long-awaited meeting of ours is auspicious for all of you, as it certainly will be for us," said the King-Mage, addressing the three adepts with fraternal airs. Then he turned specifically to Santimar and said, "Noble Santimar, I see that you were duly efficient in capturing my message in its entirety in your lucid dream. It pleases me to know that."
The King-Mage then turned smiling to Mirir, gave a slight nod with his head, and continued, "Come, take a seat at the Great Table of Mysteries. We have much to discuss, so it's better that you are at ease."
In the center of the hall was a huge and striking table, made of a stone similar to marble with adornments of gold and silver, with several wooden chairs with upholstered leather around it that seemed extremely comfortable. They were certainly notable for their ergonomic designs with reclining backs. The table, in turn, had various symbolic illustrations related to the Order and its history on its circular border. On the main mural of the hall, which was in front of the table, Santimar could perceive that there was an illustration of Tir'Zuno emanating his own flames, holding the Sun in his hands. It was something striking to contemplate. Lacendir couldn't help but hide his excitement at the beauty and wealth of details of the place, and Noara seemed to be graced by the comfort of the chair she was directed to sit in.
There were nine Mages gathered there in total, counting Mirir-Roi himself, who had brought the adepts with him, and Vezad Dhir-Roi, who had naturally already been mentioned. Of all the other Mages already cited so far, Mila-Roi was present, wearing a light blue cloak of fabric so fine that it seemed to float delicately, never really having its ends hanging heavily towards the ground. And also Aruk-Roi, whom Mirir-Roi mentioned as responsible for the codices and the investigation the adepts would take part in. He was also the Mage who served as director of the Ethimolos Academy of Tabulém. He wore a royal green cloak with a bright white line that outlined it all until it reached the height of the cloak under the Mage's head. To facilitate the general mention of all the Mages, the King-Mages are also included in the same count. And beyond these, there were also three more Mages that Santimar, Lacendir, and Noara knew. They were:
Verturio-Roi, the Mage of the Liveros race, who didn't usually give many classes except those related to the art of flight and levitation, which wasn't very accessible to the great majority of adepts due to its difficulty. But he was famous for being one of the only ones of this flying race within the Order, moreover being a Mage himself. And even at that moment, he was floating gracefully. He had a silver-blue cloak as attire and wore a pointed hat with an extensive feather coming out of it. The feather shone with a turquoise green and seemed to belong to some mythical animal. Verturio-Roi had brown hair and quite fair skin. His eyes were a deep blue, the color of the very ocean where his native island was located. He himself also seemed like a rare animal.
Zagner-Roi, responsible for the combat training of the Foremuis, was even a close friend of Mirir-Roi, and both expressed mutual respect for the combat arts. For the occasion of the meeting, he wore a reddish cloak with yellowish traces that resembled flames. He had reddish hair and dark skin, similar to Santimar, but his tone resembled mahogany wood while Santimar's resembled pure charcoal. Besides, he was much taller than the adept, somewhat reminiscent of Bartur in that regard. However, the Mage was quite fast despite his size, as swift in flexions as in reflections, or so it was said about him. Every adept had to have at least basic combat knowledge to defend themselves against possible danger on their journeys, so Zagner-Roi was known by practically everyone in the Order.
And lastly, among the Mages known to the three adepts was Zaya-Roi, an enigmatic mistress who ruled the Mystic Guard within the Order. She had striking features that gave away her ancestry from Gopondir. She had an incomparable beauty even with all her seriousness and antiquity. She wore a purple cloak that seemed to undulate its tone delicately as if by its own will, giving the sensation that it pulsed according to the very breath of the mistress. She rarely taught the Art of Pure Magic only to those she deemed worthy, among those who had naturally passed through several other more subtle selection processes to even be inserted into the Order, for she considered her arcane mastery too tempting even for the wisest. Zaya was quite known throughout the world, for like Mirir-Roi, she was also a war heroine, from the same war that Mirir was a hero in, in fact—the Second War of Verentia.
The Second War of Verentia is less commented on than the first, considering that its motivations were less… noble. It took place shortly after Tir'Zuno's disappearance, for in his absence a huge power vacuum arose in Ewahara. Because of this, the kingdoms of greater belligerent power at the time ended up engaging in disputes among themselves not long after, to fill this same vacuum. These were the Kingdoms of Javatep in alliance with the Kingdom of Onat against the Kingdom of Kalamares, belonging to the continent of Eruvia. The Kingdom of Kalamares was composed mostly of those who were part of the Bhrak race, and of a more "temperamental" lineage, so to speak. For if Bhraks in general are descendants of the mountains, by deduction these were descendants of volcanoes, to better describe the bellicose impetus of these Bhraks. When the second war began, this Kingdom had already conquered its entire continent of origin; its firepower was therefore undeniable. And if it weren't for the Order of Yatar's predilection for the more diplomatic attitude of the Kingdom of Javatep and Onat, these kingdoms of the continent of Emezira certainly would not have won the second war. The outcome of this war took place just two centuries before the current events, although the war itself did not affect the balance of power in the world of Ewahara much, seeing as the Order of Yatar managed to prove to the other kingdoms that it had full capacity to compensate for the absence of its creator. This was demonstrated in this war, mainly through the deeds of Mirir-Roi and Zaya-Roi in several of the battles that ensued. At the end of the war, an agreement was signed with the Kingdom of Kalamares where the Order would have direct influence in the decisions of this Kingdom, to prevent it from again aspiring to new territorial conquests at the cost of more innocent lives. It is even said that the solution for this was the creation of the Arena of the Fierce in Fehoza, the capital of Kalamares, to satiate the voracious spirits of these so fierce Bhraks.
Finally, the other two Mages present were totally unknown to the three adepts. They couldn't even tell if they were King-Mages or not; there was no differentiation in the attire or composure of all there before the adepts. By this time, everyone was already seated. Behold, Vezad Dhir-Roi rises with a small bell in his hand and speaks.
"And so begins another meeting of the Mages of the Order of Yatar. May Tir'Zuno be esteemed, praised be the God of the eternal flame!" With that, he rang the small bell three times in short intervals and, still standing, continued, "First of all, it would be wise to introduce the Mages who are more discreet to the still new eyes of our prestigious adepts here present."
Having said that, the two unknown Mages stood up. One of them was an elder who exuded an antiquity on par with Vezad Dhir-Roi himself. He gave the sensation of being in a permanent state of meditation. The other was all hooded with bandages covering his entire body, from the tips of his fingers to his feet, and not even his eyes were visible due to the profound darkness that the hood he wore produced over his own face, making his real appearance virtually undecipherable.
"I could introduce them, but perhaps it is more valuable that you do it yourselves, isn't that right?" inquired Vezad Dhir-Roi, sitting back down slowly.
"May it be so… Within the Order, I am known as Emerek Dhir-Roi. Yes, I am a King-Mage. I ask, however, that you not think too much of that, because I do not think. Hierarchy does matter, indeed, but what matters more is how close we are to each other… in the eyes of God…" spoke the elder with tranquility and brevity, who could now be identified as Emerek Dhir-Roi. He was already somewhat hunched due to his extensive age, with a white beard that dragged on the ground. He was bald, and his brown cloak had nothing special about it, and he walked with a simple wooden staff. But despite appearances, he was another of the seven Mages of the first Order. The seven Mages possessed a longevity considered incredible even among some members of the Order; some would even consider them immortal, like Tir'Zuno was considered, were it not for the signs that they obviously suffered the action of time, even if incomparably slower than the other Mages of the Order itself. It seemed that the hour simply had not come for them to die after a given time when they were already quite old. Some said this phenomenon was a heritage of a promise they made with Tir'Zuno: that they would only make the passage from the physical plane when he finally returned from his mystical journey in another dimension. Touching on the subject, it is worth mentioning that it could already be perceived that supernatural longevity itself was a somewhat common trait in the high echelons of the Order of Yatar, and practically all the Mages possessed well more than a few centuries of life. But it was a talent that only those who proved their value within the Order had access to, for it was this very value that justified their prolonged time in its service.
"It is an honor to be back here, as always, honorable brotherhood. You adepts of the new generation can call me Fastino-Roi. Don't be too strange about my incognito appearance, for it is part of my function in the Order. I am responsible for the area of counterespionage. And as was to be expected, I know that you didn't know of its existence. And what else do I know? I even know what you ate at last year's Flower Ball. I know how many 'stars' exist in your eyes, Noara. I know your parents' favorite taverns, Lacendir. And I even know the names of Keriat's companions at his advanced post, your Gahika childhood friend, Santimar. Hehe." said the furtive Mage, somewhat excited. He didn't deny how much he enjoyed surprising others; he really had fun with it. But he paused for a moment, seemed to reflect—even though it was impossible to tell by observation, for it would not be possible to analyze his features and expressions, which were totally hidden—then added, "But do I know everything? By no means. Only God knows everything, of course. What I know is a heap of details, countless so many, that allow me to make a general picture of the events of this world, however trivial they may be, if they thus serve the Order."
Having said that, the two Mages who still lacked revealing their names sat down. There was a brief silence when everyone was seated, but Santimar could swear they were listening to something; he just didn't know what it was.
"Very well, very well. I believe we can begin now. Santimar, I know you already have some suspicions about why you are here. I even take this opportunity to say that what I sensed has finally been confirmed, and I believe the other Mages here agree with me. But Lacendir and Noara, I imagine you are more confused than Santimar regarding your purpose." Vezad was spinning two glass balls with leaves and petals inside them in his right hand while he spoke. Before anything else, he decided to touch on the points that seemed most urgent to the adepts who came with Santimar. "As you must already know, it was I who asked Santimar that you also be summoned. I could briefly explain what made me call you, but I believe it is ideal that other Mages here present make this explanation of what motivated the call of each of you, seeing as it has to do with them as well." Upon saying this, he stopped spinning the balls and turned to Mila-Roi, who stood up.
"Noara, you may not remember, but in one of our lessons about the divine active principle that, among other things, is what makes a seed sprout, I could feel in your spirit a special tuning with the natural Kingdom. We all have a deep connection with the world that surrounds us; that is certain. But in you, I saw something that went deeper than normal. Could it be a consequence of your eyes with the stellar effect? It could be, but not all who possess this rare effect have equal tuning. So it is elementary to conclude that it is something more. It is a vocation that had already been signaled by the stars themselves in the constellation that arises in your eyes." Mila-Roi began her explanation with the same delicacy with which she moved, which gave a brief pause, for she already sensed a question from the adept seeking confirmation.
"The Glass Flower constellation?… But mistress… what could it mean that is so special?" asked the adept, somewhat marveled by that initial explanation from the mistress for whom she had always had great admiration. She couldn't help but glance at Santimar for a gracious moment, remembering his mention of this same constellation in her eyes.
However, instead of continuing her explanation, Mila-Roi decided to subtly extend her hand to Mirir-Roi, who seemed to be the most versed in stellar matters. Behold, he himself stands up ceremonially and begins a brief explanation.
"The Glass Flower constellation represents here in Ewahara the Flower of Primordial Sleep, my dear Noara. It is one of the Five Primordial Flowers, which will be better explained by your honored Mila-Roi in her continuation after my brief participation. But it is convenient for you to know that every constellation that appears in stellar-effect eyes has an intrinsic connection with our world." After the brief addendum, Mirir-Roi extended his hand to Mila-Roi in return and sat back down.
"Thank you for the addition, honorable Mage Mirir," said Mila-Roi with special affection. Santimar couldn't help but ponder quickly if the two Mages had or had had some greater connection. The mistress then turned again to Noara and continued, "The five primordial flowers have a sacred importance in our world. They influence the five facets of our consciousness that allow us to experience this life that is ours in all its manifestations. These facets are described in our codices as the awake, asleep, wild, sublime, and collective consciousnesses. The Flower of Primordial Sleep naturally influences the asleep consciousness… and your part in what we plan against Irtimox is fundamental."
"…I don't deny that this constellation can be seen in my eyes, but what does that really mean? How does that make me important in relation to this flower?" Noara didn't yet know what to think about herself regarding what she was hearing, but if she could really help in this crisis, she wanted to be sure of what to do.
"As you know, the construction of onirins requires diverse ingredients. Beyond the materials used in the composition of their structure, essential oils of certain plants and their seeds are also used to provoke the more subtle effects of this artifact. In this case, our plan is to create an onirin capable of manipulating the dreams of an individual, and for that we will need the essence of the Flower of Primordial Sleep. But for such an end, it is also necessary to create a deep bond with the force that governs the plant itself, so that its oil does not lose its essence and end up becoming an oneiric poison… So we believe that you, Noara, are capable of creating such a bond." Mila-Roi clarified in an elaborate way while expounding on the case with her unique elegance.
"The plan, subtly glimpsed in the prophecy, is to use this onirin to undo whatever harm was done in the subconscious of the one we now call Irtimox. It may not be enough to free him from his grave guilt, but we believe it will at least redirect his uncontrollable fury towards the true culprit of it, leaving Ewahara out of this."
"So it's true? Irtimox is really awakening???" inquired Lacendir, a bit restless, for he was inferring the worst. He knew how terrible the first war had been and didn't want to imagine that he himself would go through that. He always thought he would have a more tranquil life than his ancestors thanks to the collective efforts of those who came before him. Would he too have to pay his price for peace?
"Yes, adept Lacendir, but do not despair, for victory to cease to be an option, it is enough that we surrender to defeat within ourselves," said Zagner-Roi, the warrior Mage Artisan with confident and resolute airs, to which he proceeded, "In fact, your focus should be on how you can help. And believe me, you carry within you a strength you are unaware of, or perhaps do not wish to recognize…"
"Strength?… I don't know if… I understand you well, Mage. I was never very assiduous in combat training. My family of bards didn't usually motivate me to fight; they always preferred to appease spirits with music and storytelling," reacted Lacendir somewhat evasively to the Mage's sharp comment.
"I feel that you understand, or perhaps sense, what I say, Lacendir. I think the most probable reason for your scarce presence in combat classes was because you didn't want me to notice this… vocation of yours. A pity for you that I am indeed quick to capture certain reflexes," persisted Zagner-Roi without wasting time. "Now is not the time for hesitation, adept. Think of your son; he deserves your best."
Santimar until then had only been listening to everything said with total interest, but now he found himself intrigued. Was Lacendir an expert fighter all this time and he didn't know? What else didn't he know about his friend?
"And so what if I know some martial arts tricks… how is that going to change anything?" Lacendir gave up about his reflexes but not about his role there.
"Lacendir, if you had paid more attention to the ballads of your own parents, you would know that he who will melt the chains will have a faithful warrior by his side," retorted Fastino-Roi, implying that the time had come to talk about Santimar, turning to Vezad Dhir-Roi, who nodded his head to the others and thus extended his hand towards Aruk-Roi.
"Well, it seems it is finally time to recite the prophecy. Let's see… here it is." Aruk-Roi understood, with the codex in hand, placing it on the table, where he opened it with genuine ceremony. He turned its hundreds of pages carefully until he reached where he wanted, took a deep breath, and began to recite: "… and behold, before crossing the portal, Tir'Zuno went up the mount and proclaimed his prophecy to the apprehensive multitude that heard him:
'The tyrant was then overthrown,
By what came from me,
And his horde found itself decimated,
But this is not the end.
The fury that was interrupted
In the crystal now sleeps,
But its corrupted offspring
Will give the sign that makes one tremble,
Upon gazing at the champion of life.
And capable kingdoms will yield,
Before the recurring horde,
But behold, the golden flame
Will melt the dark chain,
Thus returning the dawn,
With help from the smiling fist.
And the tyrant himself will still resist,
But the delicate flower will make him sleep,
A succinct and revealing sleep,
That will finally end the pain.'"
"And that is all, at least regarding the snippet contained in the segmentary codex relative to the prophecy of the dawn, for it ends here. And with that, I believe we are all now closer to a satisfactory understanding," concluded then the Mage responsible for preserving the origin codices and continuing the segmentary codices.
After the prophecy was finally recited in its entirety, a meditative pause installed itself in the hall of the Mages. Santimar perceived the Mages' gazes upon him, studying him from top to bottom. Even Lacendir and Noara seemed convinced that he was that champion of the golden flame mentioned by Tir'Zuno. But Santimar himself still wasn't so sure, and he persisted in this doubt during that silence that seemed eternal.
"So it really becomes harder to deny the similarities. I really wasn't sure if I was the first to come across one of those dreadful creatures since the end of the first War of Verentia. But if Lacendir is indeed this fist, and if Noara is indeed linked to this flower… I find myself without arguments to refuse to accept this great responsibility," assumed Santimar after a long pondering.
"Yes, my noble adept. With the passage of time, the pieces were just fitting together, until it culminated yesterday in what was awaited of us. So…" Mirir-Roi was on the verge of concluding his reasoning, but behold…
"Not so fast!" said Zaya-Roi suddenly, already standing. The other Mages, however, did not seem intent on reacting to her sudden movement; on the contrary, they seemed to prepare for what was to come. The other Mages raised two fingers upwards and closed their eyes. "All those present here may already be convinced that the adept known as Santimar who is among us is our long-awaited 'golden flame,' prophesied by the great Tir'Zuno. But I still need further confirmations. After all, the enemy we deal with does not act alone, and who guarantees that he hasn't fabricated someone who fit the prophesied molds? I need to test him myself, and enough wasting time; I will do it at this very moment!"
Having said that, the intimidating mistress stared into Santimar's eyes with colossal magnetism. A visible aura around her eyes emanated towards the adept, and he felt that he couldn't avoid her gaze; he found himself incapable of turning his face away, even of closing his eyes. What power was that? But it didn't end there. The mistress began to recite an unknown chant in a tone of voice almost nonexistent, so low was the sound of her words as she intoned the chant. And it seemed that only Santimar heard, and that even though unknown, he could understand it thus:
"That which was hidden, let it now be revealed; that which denies your counsel, let it no longer be avoided!"
Everything around Santimar darkened in the blink of an eye. Without the slightest explanation, the adept found himself alone in the middle of an endless desert of black sands under a dark, starless night. Santimar didn't know if he was dreaming or if he was awake. What place was that? How did he end up there? Was it the mistress's enchantment that did this? It must have been. After a few minutes astonished in the middle of that somber vastness, he shouted for someone, but all he heard in return was the echo of his own voice that proceeded to the confines of that desert where Santimar found himself. He decided to walk, but to where? Which direction? He chose one at random and walked. A few more minutes passed, or were they hours? He didn't feel the passage of time clearly. He continued walking aimlessly. What seemed like hours already gave the impression of being days. Santimar began to wonder if he wasn't lost in time.
"KOAAHHHHRRRGHHH!!!"
A strident scream caught his attention. It sounded like an Inciferus, but this scream was stronger. Santimar found himself caught off guard once again, and this time he was alone. What should he do? He searched for his own dagger—every adept had a small dagger at their waist—but it wasn't there. What would he do? Flee? To where? He didn't even know where the creature was in that darkness. And behold, it screams again, this time behind the adept!
"KAAAAWRGH!"
The adept turns around promptly, unarmed, but he wasn't thinking of giving up. He was now face to face with the creature. It seemed much more sagacious and strong than the one he found in the valley of the kivalos. He could have sworn it looked at him with an arrogant gaze, as if belittling the adept.
"krkrkrk… pppathetic… a sssser sooo frrragile… ppprophesied? Karkarkakarka!" The creature spoke! And not only that, it also laughed mockingly. "It will be vvvery eeeasy to ddddestroy you!"
"You may come, vile creature! You will soon see that I am not so fragile!" Santimar was indeed unarmed, but he had been quite dedicated in his combat classes. Unlike his friend Lacendir, he not only didn't miss a single class but also asked for extra classes and still trained alone when he could. But would it be enough? Hand-to-hand combat against a creature with sharp claws capable of invoking magic? It seemed absurd, but Santimar didn't show the slightest hint of despair about it; on the contrary, his conviction seemed unshakable.
"kerkerkrkkeker, wwwe'll ssssee…. KWWARGH!" And suddenly, in that darkness, the Inciferus lunged at Santimar, who managed to land a blow on the creature's chin but couldn't avoid a deep cut on his chest caused by the deformed animal's right claw.
"AARGH!" The pain was real, and Santimar no longer believed that this could be a mere dream. Would this be his end? Had that mistress become a spy who took advantage to destroy him? Santimar no longer knew, but now he began to weaken. He didn't feel fear, but he didn't want to end there. He had so much yet to live, so much to see happily, so much to protect… But his blood gushed from his chest at an uncontrollable speed. His sight soon blurred, and he then fell to his knees. It seemed to be indeed his end.
Within himself, Santimar began to see a darkness even greater than that outside in that black desert, and the adept felt that he was sinking into this same internal darkness little by little. Santimar, however, seemed to surrender to that darkness, as in a state of complete self-denial, for if it was to be his last breath, let it be for God… However, something began to happen. A resounding voice came from within his core and told him, "Arise!" And at that, an emancipating light emerged from nowhere and began to envelop him, lifting him back to the surface of that sea of darkness where he was previously immersed. And at the exact moment he emerged, reaching the outside of those profound gloom, the light that enveloped him exploded within him!
Santimar found himself standing, emanating an incessant light. The cut had vanished, and he didn't feel weakened in the least. His golden eyes projected an even more golden light. The Inciferus, which before seemed arrogant, now found itself coerced by that magnanimous presence. Even so, it wanted to attack Santimar again in a desperate act to see if it could extinguish that light that threatened it once and for all.
The Inciferus launched a fireball from its mouth towards the adept, who blocked it with his bare hand without problems. In the explosion that ensued, the creature wanted to attack Santimar directly from behind it, to take advantage of the blind spot created by the flames. But before the creature could even touch Santimar, he moved as if at the speed of light and split the creature in two with a blade of light that extended from the extremity of his own arm in an attack position.
Santimar didn't even look back after having applied his attack, but he heard perfectly the thud of the two grotesque pieces of that infernal creature.
"KORWARGhH… nnnno… it ccccan't bbbe… korfh… bbbut… ththis is nnnot… the eend… kekrkekeke… Argh!…." said the moribund half of the creature where the mouth was located, dying finally by letting out one last malicious laugh, as the adept noticed upon observing that the creature's eyes became even darker when he finally looked back. The complete Inciferi were extremely resilient after all, but not that much.
After that fatal combat, Santimar didn't even seem to care about the creature's remains. He was totally engrossed in that power he felt. He felt one with the universe; he heard God within himself reverberating in every molecule of his being. He perceived, ennobled, that he was totally at the disposal of the Eternal, a legitimate divine instrument!
Suddenly, he heard a powerful gust of wind approaching, and the sky seemed to open, giving space to a multitude of stars. And he could see that as the gust passed over, all that black desert became golden. Was it the desert of Yalunde?
Before, however, he could answer his own question—for he felt capable of doing so—the adept found himself pulled out of that situation in a whirlwind of energy that made him return exactly to where he was before, in the hall of the Mages. And not a second had passed there since the adept found himself absent from that hall for what seemed to have lasted weeks.
"But what… what happened?" asked Santimar, already back to his normal state. He didn't have his cloak torn, nor did he have signs that he was still emanating that golden light. But he felt in his core that it all had indeed happened. The adept with golden eyes soon wanted to recompose himself to achieve greater clarifications about everything that had just happened. "Where was I? And how did I go and come back from there?"
"Satisfied, Zaya-Roi?" asked Mirir-Roi, interrupting the series of questions that Santimar seemed to want to begin.
"Hm… I would be lying if I said no," assumed Mistress Zaya with an unexpected perplexity stamped on her face, mainly because her enchantment hadn't gone as she planned, even more so because she never imagined that it would be an adept, someone so recent in the Order, who hadn't even passed a century of life, the one prophesied by Tir'Zuno.
"What use is antiquity if one does not know how to comprehend?" asked the already serene Emerek Dhir-Roi, humming, taking the mistress by surprise, who tried to disguise her momentary embarrassment by looking to the side.
"Huh, what do you mean? Did something happen?" asked Lacendir, not understanding anything.
"I'm not understanding anything either, Lacen!" Noara seemed to share his confusion but seemed to feel that something had changed in Santimar.
"Stay calm, dear adepts. Allow me to explain a bit of what happened, while we will also all answer Santimar's most urgent doubts," finally said Verturio-Roi, the flying adept who until then had only observed, to which he continued while floating around the table. "Even though diverging 'a bit' from the original plan we had elaborated to test your conviction, the determined Zaya-Roi did not fail to achieve the target we wanted in the end, which was to 'invite' your light to expose itself. Of course, her methods were quite risky, throwing you like that into a Shadow Plane that brought with it dangers much more real than expected."
"Too risky methods, I would say…" It seemed that Vezad himself wanted better clarifications, who, even though not seeming to have doubted the mistress's real intentions, made a gesture that he would like Zaya-Roi to explain herself.
"It costs me… to admit that I regret having tested you like that, for given the circumstances, I considered it necessary. And it would console me to say that everything was under control, that I wouldn't let you really die being innocent. You must know that. But in truth, I tell you that I lost control of the enchantment and couldn't pull you back when I realized the Inciferus was real and not a projection of yours… But thanks to the Heavens, there was this miraculous 'reaction' on Santimar's part… But be that as it may, we also didn't have time to wait longer. Early this morning, the Falkins of the Kingdom of Gopondir spotted another Inciferus that fled into the desert. And Aruk-Roi informed us before the adepts arrived at the meeting that there are rumors that another incomplete Inciferus was recently captured to be used as a challenge in the Arena of the Fierce in Kalamares! Has the temple of Fehoza lost its good sense? Have they forgotten what these creatures are capable of? Where is Garak Dhir-Roi that he hasn't interfered in this yet? Has he returned to the deep abyss of his cave of origin again? It's not always that we can hear clearly anything that comes from those depths…" Zaya seemed affected by what she did, but not that much. She seemed more focused on immediate results. In her thinking, time was urgent for that. Even so, she turned to Santimar, employed a more affectionate countenance, and said, "Despite everything, noble adept, now that I recognize you, I must ask your forgiveness for my precipitate immediatism. I hope you understand what we have to lose."
Zaya-Roi then inclined her head to Santimar in reverence, a rare act on her part, but it was well received by everyone there, including the adept with golden eyes himself, who seemed to understand what her intention had been and even seemed grateful to her for it.
"Your forgiveness is worth more than gold, but I should be thanking you, my glorious mistress. You helped awaken something in me that I didn't even know could be awakened… I confess that when I was there, I doubted your real intentions, but I soon realized how noble they were. And speaking of that place where I was, could the Inciferus I faced be the one that fled into the desert? I still don't know how this Shadow Plane works, but what I felt was very real. And that black desert was beginning to become as golden as the desert of Yalunde the moment I was brought back here," inquired Santimar without the slightest intention of considering what he experienced as a mere illusion.
"But how could it have been, Santi? You didn't even move!" exclaimed Lacendir, who was still trying to process everything that was being said all of a sudden.
"Santimar was taken to a different space-time from ours, Lacendir. That's why his crossing wasn't so perceptible to those who were outside it. And only those who accompanied him as incorporeal observers in this crossing could analyze what was happening in the same space-time where he was. They didn't, however, have to accompany him in his entire path within the Shadow Plane, which in the time distortion lasted the equivalent of a few weeks. They only focused on what happened when a greater tension arose in the energy within that dimension. Now, if he is really correct about that having been the golden desert of Yalunde, then there was also an unforeseen space distortion in an enchantment like this, which would also explain his feat of having acted in the desert and returning here without time having moved. Could there have been some external interference, my dear Zaya-Roi?" inquired Mage Mirir, while trying to alleviate the mental confusion not only of Lacendir but of Noara as well, who at the moment listened in silence but had nodded her head to what the son of bards had said.
"If there was any interference, it was above my purview, my dear Mirir-Roi. So I can only imagine that Irtimox himself got involved, even if the living God also interfered, considering the miracle we witnessed… Be that as it may, it is natural that time in the Shadow Plane has its passage stagnated, as does the local atmosphere. But his direct interaction with the physical plane was not normal. My intention a priori was to test Santimar's own shadow within the vacuum, but what ended up happening was that he found himself transported to a dimension shared by Irtimox… who used the desert of Yalunde as a channeler, even though his spirit remains trapped in the Crystal of Azerude, which is still guarded on the island of Anirifa, even if cracked. That Inciferus also already seemed to be complete, for it was already capable of speaking and using magic. So it may be that it tuned into Irtimox's yearnings and began the search for the prophesied spirit to try to interrupt Tir'Zuno's prophecy. I believe it was lying in wait while hiding in the desert of Yalunde, with its attention turned in our direction, waiting for some change in frequency in the astral plane that would indicate some being with singular emanations. What I did in my carelessness was all it needed to take advantage and invade the Shadow Plane to end what it considered a threat to its Mage's plans. Just imagining how it was capable of such a complex maneuver causes me apprehension. That creature was already too advanced in its malignant intents. Thanks to the heavens for the intercession in this moment of danger that I did not consider as a possibility." concluded Zaya-Roi, making a reverence to the heavens.
"Don't punish yourself so much for that, my dear Zaya. The evil we deal with seems to be awakening at large steps, and with that, its power. I believe no one here would have foreseen such interference. Irtimox must have taken advantage of your absolute caution, which indicates that he is aware of our conducts even in his dormant state. With that, I take the opportunity to alert that while the adept found himself in this… revealing combat, the crystal cracked a bit more… but no abrupt change in Irtimox's level of consciousness was felt because of that… at least for now." Fastino-Roi informed soberly while trying to console his equal there in that hall that honored them. The informant Mage seemed to receive his information through a kind of encrypted telepathy.
"…I thank you for alleviating the weight of my acts, attentive Fastino-Roi. But returning to the subject of the Crystal of Azerude, it still bothers me that we were not warned in a timely manner that it had cracked so that we could prepare properly, resulting in us being caught by surprise before the first confirmed appearance of an Inciferus, which happened yesterday on the kivalo route. What finally happened with the guard of the island of Anarifa, Fastino-Roi?" asked Zaya-Roi, taking advantage of the emphasis on the case given by the furtive Mage Fastino.
"That is something I have been questioning since yesterday morning when Santimar relayed to me the message he received from Vezad in his lucid dream. I know the King-Mage contacted Santimar as soon as he had a chance and that it was your sagacity, Mage Fastino-Roi, who had informed Vezad about the occurrence initially as soon as this tragedy came to your knowledge. But… isn't it true that the special guard present on the island spent an entire day without contact until just before this information was sent to you? Could we have been infiltrated by those who aspire to awaken Irtimox in exchange for power?" complemented Mirir-Roi.
"The Mage responsible for the guard of the island has yet to inform me in totality what happened. That is all I have to say about that, Mages Mirir and Zaya…, but I trust Tomino-Roi completely. Besides, he wouldn't be in charge of protecting the crystal if his reputation didn't preside over him." said Fastino-Roi before the inquiries of his fellow Mages.
"Your word is enough for us, noble Fastino-Roi. But the rupture of the crystal is going faster than I imagined it would be. So it is time for us to also quicken our pace. Soon I will have to immediately decide what must be done… Let's see." King-Mage Vezad touched his forehead lightly and looked up. He closed his eyes for a few moments, seemed to meditate for a brief period of time, then opened them again and took on the air of someone about to spring into action. "Aruk-Roi, what can we do to delay the rupture of the crystal? Is there any clue in Tir'Zuno's personal notes? It is crucial that you prioritize this research for now. Verturio-Roi, I ask that you announce to the temples of the continent with your aerial capabilities that the time has come to mobilize all the ordained. Mila-Roi, when do you think Noara will be ready to connect with the Primordial Flower of sleep? Zagner-Roi, I believe it is time for you to train Lacendir seriously in your Arena of the Apt, the same one where the martial trials of the Foremuis who aspire to become captains of the Dalkars and Falkins are held. Meanwhile, I myself, Zaya-Roi, and Mirir-Roi will train Santimar in the very Tower of Tir'Zuno here next door. Emerek Dhir-Roi, could your illustrious competence contact Garak Dhir-Roi through your famous long-distance astral travels?"
Vezad Dhir-Roi gave a few seconds for what he had just said to be properly absorbed by everyone while he himself elaborated on what he would say next. Then he continued.
"Finally, I ask everyone for one more moment of attention. Considering the approaching threat, it is expected that we are all minimally ready in no more than seven days, regardless of whether Aruk-Roi manages to delay the total rupture of the crystal during this time, for even if he succeeds, it will be a temporary solution. So be as prudent as you are efficient with the little time we have left!" said Vezad Dhir-Roi in a more serious tone—the most serious Santimar had ever seen him speak. All the other Mages accepted the plan of action given by him without the slightest hesitation. Even Emerek Dhir-Roi, who was also a King-Mage, did not question his tone. Vezad really seemed to be the main person in charge of the Order in Tir'Zuno's absence, in Santimar's eyes.
"Train? But I have to see my fami…" Due to the urgency of the situation, all Lacendir could think about now was his own family. Before, however, he could complete his sentence, he was interrupted by Mirir-Roi.
"Your family is already here, Lacendir. You have a beautiful son, by the way. I had already made sure to bring them here while we were leaving the dormitory. At this moment, they are waiting for the end of our meeting outside the Hall. So don't worry, for even if the worst comes to happen, our loved ones will be protected by the Foremuis of our Order. We couldn't let the enemy gain such a trump card against us, could we?" assured the Mage Mirir, touching the adept's back lightly, who already seemed more relieved. "By the way, be certain that at this moment the families of the three here are in good hands. Yatar favors the prudent."
"Venerable Vezad Dhir-Roi! I please ask that you do not disregard that I still have to conduct the formal investigation of yesterday's occurrence! And I will need the three adepts for that! It will be brief, I promise!" alerted Aruk-Roi, who even in the face of a tribulation remained faithful to his duties.
Vezad sighed deeply, his weariness with the near bureaucracy estimated by Mage Aruk-Roi being audible. However, he pondered that it would be worse for everyone if there was disharmony among them, so he decided to thus consider the positive points of such zeal, which after all were not false.
"Alright, Mage Aruk. The segmentary codices cannot fail to be updated, come what may. So I ask that in your brevity, you manage to do that right now in the courtyard of the Hall's exit, agreed?"
"Agreed, King-Mage. I even have everything prepared outside. The adepts won't even feel it, it will be so quick—the small series of questions. Thank you for your understanding!" replied the diminutive Mage in reverence.
"Excellent, meticulous Aruk-Roi. I expected no less from your dexterity. I take the opportunity to ask your gentle Mila-Roi to apply upon the adepts your enchantment of full re-energization, taking into account how exhausting this day has already been for them." Vezad remembered the incident in the canteen, which was quickly mentioned by Fastino-Roi while they awaited the adepts' arrival at the meeting. He could also have considered Santimar's experience in the Shadow Plane, but the latter seemed even more disposed after it; he felt something sacred emanating from him.
"It is what I will do at this moment, illustrious Vezad Dhir-Roi. Noble adepts, would you like to join here in front of me." Mila-Roi moved to the side of the table and waited for the adepts, who placed themselves in front of her shortly after, to which she then recited:
"Fortunate fountain, emanate your flow, purge our evils, reinvigorate our air."
Unlike Mirir-Roi, who used another chant in conjunction with an onirin, Mila-Roi only positioned the palm of her hand towards the adepts, projecting a purple light that filled the bodies of the three adepts. They felt revitalized not only in body but also saw their mental exhaustion evaporate, besides feeling a sensation of abundant plenitude.
"Right. Now that we are all properly disposed, as soon as Aruk-Roi is finished with the adepts, let's all focus and get to work. For as Zaya-Roi made clear, and in this aspect she hit the mark, we really have no time to lose. On the contrary, the time that so helps us at this moment seems to be against us, to the point where I feel compelled to say that it already fails us… I then declare this meeting closed and that each one be inspired by the Eternal to make the best decisions and achieve the best aptitudes that we will need in this arduous journey. Avihém!" concluded thus King-Mage Vezad Dhir-Roi.
"Avihém!" everyone responded in return, adepts and Mages.
At the end of the meeting, which was cut short given the emergency developments, the gates of the Hall of Masters reopened earlier than expected, and quickly Lacendir's wife appears on the other side, going towards her husband without the least ceremony regarding the place she was entering, which was understandable, for she was clearly distraught. She only learned of the latest events when she was informed and escorted by a Falkin, and with that, she already feared the worst.
"Lacendir! My God, what is happening? Are you alright?" said Emanayah, Lacendir's wife, with the baby tied to her chest with the help of a cloth resembling our sling but made of a slightly soporific material that helped calm the baby. Emanayah had features that here would be considered indigenous, tan skin and straight dark hair, as dark as her eyes. She had a peculiar beauty that exuded affection and simplicity.
"I am, I think, better now that I see you well, my love." Then he kissed his wife and caressed the head of his son, who was sleeping on his mother's chest, now a bit calmer.
"But what is this story about the Inciferi having returned? What are we going to do? What will the Order do?" she asked, becoming more distressed again.
Despite everything until then, the common people of Ewahara were still unaware of the recent emergence of some Inciferi. Even various officials from all the kingdoms had not yet received this news. Only those who had direct contact with the Order were aware of the situation in preliminary terms, at least on the continent of Emezira.
"It's a long story, dear, but I need to tell you: they summoned me. I will have to participate in a mission. I still don't know exactly how, but it's something big, and I can't refuse…" said Lacendir, trying to limit himself so as not to let his greater worries affect his wife.
"What do you mean? But you're just an adept! They can't do that! I…" Emanayah began to cry, waking the baby, who in turn began to ask for milk, to which she, tearful, made a movement in her clothing so the baby could access her breast.
"…It's going to be alright, my love. Don't cry. I'm doing this for us, for all of us," said Lacendir, touching the face of his beloved, who for a moment avoided his eyes, wanting to cry more but ended up calming down, having finally realized where she was and that they weren't alone.
"Don't worry, my lady. Before anything happens to your illustrious husband, they will have to go through me first! Hah!" said Mage Zagner-Roi, giant in stature, letting out a brief laugh, wanting to thus lift spirits.
"…I apologize, but who are you, sir?" Emanayah looked a bit confused at the warrior Mage.
"He is one of our Mages, dear! And I'm going to have to train with him now…" he said somewhat displeased. He didn't want to say goodbye to his wife right when they were finally reuniting after days that had been unexpectedly quite exhausting.
"Oh my, where are my manners… Greetings, my lady. My name is Zagner Valstek, but many know me as Zagner-Roi. By the way, congratulations on the child; he seems to be as strong as his father." said the Mage with reverence, then directed himself to the adept with slanted eyes. "Look, adept Lacendir… I know we have a certain urgency on our hands, and with reason, but I need you completely focused. So I think it's interesting that you take a few hours with your wife and son, and then come meet me in the Main Hall of the Temple. From there, we will go to the arena of the apt, which is in the basement of the temple here in Tabulém. So as soon as you finish your brief interview with Aruk-Roi, I grant you this extra time while I mentally prepare the methods of our training… but you better be willing when we start the training for real!" Zagner-Roi captured the adept's present affliction without much effort and wanted to resolve it in a more practical, and warm, so to speak, way. The Mage was a born warrior but recognized the value of love, mainly as motivation to face a war…
"Thank you, Mage!" Lacendir smiled for the first time since the beginning of the meeting but couldn't help also becoming curious about this training; it certainly wouldn't be easy.
While Zagner-Roi and Lacendir finished getting organized, Aruk-Roi was already beginning his inquiry with Noara on the other side of the entrance courtyard with two officials, one on each side of him, and two others behind who seemed to be the representatives of the Kingdom of Javatep, given the distinct attire of both. They were, therefore, the royal members who were instructed to be observers of the investigation formalized by both parties. In the entrance courtyard, these officials and representatives of the investigation entourage were already waiting for the end of the meeting, as was Lacendir's wife with her baby in arms and a few more Order members, who were Foremuis belonging to the Falkin that guarded the hall every day during the daytime shift.
"Very well, courteous adept. I will ask only three questions, the same ones I will ask to adepts Santimar and Lacendir. First question: where were you when the creature appeared?" asked the short-statured Mage Artisan straight to the point from behind his glasses. Noara, who wasn't that tall herself, had to look down into his eyes.
"I was on the other side of the route we were on when we stopped to rest," Noara responded quickly.
"Very well… second question: what did you do when you became aware of the danger?" Aruk-Roi retorted as quickly with the next question.
"I ran to see where the other adepts were. I met with Mage Mirir, who signaled for me to stay with the group in the middle of the road. He seemed to be going towards the pain cry of the kivalo," the adept responded again while racking her memory with a distressed expression upon remembering the poor animal.
"Certainly… and now a last question: what were you feeling a little before the Inciferus appeared?" This time, the scribe Mage had redoubled attention while awaiting the response.
"Erhm… I think… p-passion." said the adept, completely embarrassed, but she knew she couldn't lie.
"Ah… of course, hehe. What a thing. Right, right. Thank you, my dear. Now go with Mila-Roi… I'm sure she can help you in that aspect too!" said finally Mage Aruk, somewhat disconcerted by the adept's unusual response.
"No more details, Aruk-Roi!" arrived suddenly the slender and elegant mistress from behind the two. Despite her always serene countenance, a slight redness could be perceived on her face.
"Ah yes, yes. I didn't mean to expose you in any way… still, a thousand pardons, my illustrious Mila-Roi. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll go speak with the other two remaining adepts here, so as not to waste more time, for I also have a long research ahead of me. Tir'Zuno's personal notes could by themselves compose an entire library! And may you two manage to achieve the proposed objective, for by the graces of the Eternal, I know we need it!" Having said that, the studious Mage quickly left Mila-Roi's sight, almost in flight. He first went after Santimar and lastly reached Lacendir. He asked the same questions he asked Noara, and the responses received didn't have very different results. What happened with Santimar was already known, and Lacendir reported that he only felt hungry a little before the dark appearance…
Soon Lacendir said goodbye with a hug and a handshake from Santimar, wished him luck and to Noara as well, made a reverence to the Mages, and followed with his wife while carrying his baby in his arms to their house in the residential district of Tabulém, near the eastern entrance of the city. Noara then hugged Santimar tightly, and they lasted a few minutes like that. She gave him a brief kiss and then followed her way with Mila-Roi towards the mistress's residence, which was next to the greenhouse of exotic plants that the Order possessed for various purposes. The Primordial Flower of Sleep, like any other primordial flower, needed a very specific atmosphere to sprout, so it was unlikely that there was any of them in the greenhouse. But Mila-Roi assured Noara that there were seeds of that flower there and that it would be enough to begin.
Before, however, Santimar headed towards the Tower of Tir'Zuno with Mages Mirir, Zaya, and Vezad, the representatives of the Kingdom of Javatep approached the adept from the Kingdom of Onat while Zaya-Roi and Vezad Dhir-Roi seemed to be having a reserved conversation. They asked to have a moment with him. Mirir-Roi, who was by his side, looked at him as if wanting him to remember what they had talked about. He made a gesture of respect to the representatives and went towards the other two Mages.
"Having been the first to come across the creature couldn't have been easy, was it, Lord Santimar?" began one of the representatives after they found themselves farther from the others, already almost outside the Hall of Masters.
"Indeed, it was quite a tense situation," the adept responded summarily. He still didn't know what these representatives wanted with him.
"The prophecy may not be so publicized today, but we scholars of the court have to know about it too. First of all, my name is Vetlotz Bam, and my friend is called Tunay Pols. Now that we know each other, I ask that you listen to what we have to say." Both Vetlotz and Tunay wore a turban and green and black attire, but while Vetlotz was blond with only a expressive mustache on his face, Tunay was dark-skinned and had a thick, graying brown beard. The interest of the two in Santimar was predictable by this point, but what they wanted exactly was what they were about to explain when they were already outside the hall of the Mages, this time in the external courtyard of the same, which was surrounded by a small garden of vivid colors.
"We know you are from the Kingdom of Onat, a Kingdom that has always been a friend of our Kingdom, and it gladdens us to have you here with us for that. However, now that there seems to be no more doubt about your… vocations, you need to know that this has become a matter of national interest. We want to make you an interesting proposal. We want you to choose to defend the Kingdom of Javatep above any other when the time comes. If we are to really depend on your power, do this and you and your entire family will be considered nobles of the highest privileges in our Kingdom. What would you think of being a Duke? Answering only to the King? No one else could bother or threaten you, nor would you lack for anything anymore; that we can guarantee you." concluded then Vetlatz while Tunay merely observed the adept with seriousness.
Santimar found himself once again in an unexpected situation, and for a long moment, he said nothing. Being a noble? A Duke at that? He never imagined something like that, and his whole family too. But what would it really cost? Defending the Kingdom of Javatep above any other? What did that mean? Wouldn't such a demand be a contradiction to the very power he saw arise within himself? Santimar felt in his core that yes. But how to respond to the representatives without thereby gaining the antipathy of the King of Javatep himself? He asked within himself for a light, breathed slowly, and suddenly remembered the words of Mirir-Roi when he was on top of Mount Korintai, when he gave his sermon to all the adepts below that starry sky, about how "true happiness comes from sharing." He then decided to appeal to a solution to his dilemma starting from this maxim towards the representatives of the Kingdom of Javatep.
"It is a great honor, the proposal you make me. I thank you from the heart. But I am sure the honored King Vamir will understand when I say that if the other kingdoms fall, there will be no promising future for your own Kingdom, surviving or not what is to come. Besides, I still don't really know what my potential in all this is about. Let's say I am indeed the champion prophesied by Tir'Zuno… perhaps that only means that I will be in the right place at the right time, don't you think? Not that I will become an omnipotent being who will bring Irtimox and his army of Inciferi down alone. It is more likely that I will need not only the help of the Kingdom of Javatep but of all the others as well in this endeavor. Having said that, I hope the King is not offended by my reservations, for as far as it depends on me, your Kingdom will be safe." Santimar thus traced his words after significant considerations regarding the interests of the Kingdom where he found himself resident and regarding his own deeper aspirations that touched sincerely on the defense of the innocent.
"I see…" said the representative Vetlatz, who was actually a nobleman from the region who sought to educate himself with the best historians the Kingdom of Javatep had to offer. He even made large donations to the Ethimolos Academy, and it was there, after all, where he created a bond with Aruk-Roi, thus facilitating his choice as one of the representatives of this investigation.
"I see he is already decided, Vetlatz… but it's alright. A response like that was in our range of possibilities. As long as he is with us in our moment of crisis, we will be satisfied. The Kingdom of Onat truly has loyal subjects. Your King will like to know that, Santimar." Tunay finally decided to participate in this attempt to officially bring Santimar to the Kingdom of Javatep. He was a noble like Vetlatz, but his specialty wasn't history like his negotiation companion; he was a veteran knight with more experience in diplomacy, mainly with the Kingdom of Onat. "However, something tells me that Santimar will end up becoming a member of our Kingdom in the end."
"You are right, Tunay. For some, power; for others… love." concluded Vetlatz, leaving in the air that they knew of his romance with Noara, taking into consideration that she was indeed from the Kingdom of Javatep. The representatives felt that their work was already partially done without them having even strived for it. But even so, the historian nobleman added, "Anyway, we admire your conviction, Santimar, as well as your philosophy. It is no wonder that the Order of Yatar only admits sages in its ranks. I ask that you not worry; King Vimar will be satisfied with your response. Until next time, my dear! We have to help prepare our own Kingdom for what awaits us!"
"And before you ask, your Kingdom is also already preparing itself, as are all the other kingdoms of Emezira. As for the continent of Eruvia, we cannot say more than you who belong to the Order, but between us, we hope the Inciferi attack them first!" Tunay took the opportunity to speak while they prepared to withdraw back to Aruk-Roi. Both representatives then saluted the adept Artisan.
"I thank you for the understanding. May God give us strength facing the obstacles to come! Avihém!" Santimar greeted them back in the manner proper to his Order.
"Avihém!" responded the representatives of the Kingdom of Javatep, then heading towards Aruk-Roi, who seemed to wait for them patiently in the middle of the inner courtyard that led to the hall of the Mages.