Nora found herself seated within her office inside a temple devoted to Zephyra, nestled in the heart of Serenova, the capital of the kingdom of Arvendale. Surrounded by scrolls and ancient artifacts, she was engrossed in her usual paperwork. Her thoughts wandered, reflecting on the path her life had taken since accepting the position of High Priestess within the Zephyrian clergy.
As she meticulously transcribed sacred texts onto fresh parchment, Nora couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. When she had first heeded the call to serve Zephyra, she had envisioned a life of exploration, charting uncharted territories, and basking in the freedom of the open air. Yet, the reality was her confined to a desk, her days dedicated to preserving the timeless wisdom espoused by the goddess of wind.
One of the young Chime Keepers burst into Nora's office, breathless and agitated.
"High Priestess, I have urgent news," the young Keeper exclaimed.
Nora, her concern evident, urged the young man to catch his breath before speaking.
After gasping for air for a moment, he finally conveyed the message, "Someone has forged a pact with an elemental."
Nora paused, her brow furrowing as she considered the significance of this report. The presence of countless elementals, spanning the breadth of each elemental force, made the concept of forming pacts with these beings a longstanding tradition.
A pact represents a contract, an agreement forged between an individual and an elemental spirit. These pacts hold the potential to bestow upon the pact holder a diverse array of abilities. From slicing through wood with blades of wind, to imbuing one's sword with the power of fire, and even mending the wounds of the injured, the spectrum of abilities is vast, with those examples being rare and celebrated.
Yet, the path to forming such pacts is not one easily trodden. The only legitimate way to initiate a pact is through the intervention of the elementals god, who act as an intermediary in these otherworldly negotiations. Elemental spirits communicate through the very life force of the world, mana, and the manipulation of this essence is considered a taboo. The privilege of mana manipulation is granted solely to the elemental spirits and the divine gods themselves.
Nora responded with indifference, saying, "Great! Give them my congratulations and instruct them to document the abilities that their pact grants them." She returned her focus to her writing.
But when the young keeper emphasized, "No, High Priestess. Someone has formed a complete pact with an elemental," Nora's casual demeanor vanished. Her quill slipped from her trembling hand, and her face paled as she registered the gravity of the situation.
In a voice quivering, she managed to stammer, "How?"
The implications of this revelation led Nora to contemplate two possibilities. First, this could mean the emergence of a new chosen of Zephyra, something that would have undoubtedly been communicated to Nora, who served as the High Priestess of the deity. However, Nora remained certain that the current chosen, Sophie, had not met her demise. This led her to consider the unsettling alternative — that someone had managed to commune with an elemental spirit without the aid of its corresponding deity, an act achievable only through the manipulation of mana.
In a world where everyone possessed mana, using it to enhance their skills, level up, and unlock new abilities was common practice. However, using one's mana to manipulate the very essence of the world's mana was a forbidden art that crossed a moral boundary. It was an act that threatened the balance of the universe and carried consequences.
The keeper's face reflected a deep sense of fear as he spoke, "I'm not sure, High Priestess. All I know is what I felt on the wind."
Nora knew he possessed a pact with a wind elemental, a common bond that granted him the ability to sense others who had formed pacts with wind elementals. With this it was possible that he could detect the formation of the complete pact.
“Alright, you may leave.” Nora ordered, after regaining herself.
After the keeper ran out the room, Nora started looking for a blank piece of paper which was harder than one would think, given the mess of parchment and scrolls in her office. After finding a suitable piece, she started to write an urgent message to the Council of Windseekers.
Once complete, she quickly made her way through the temple finding one of her trusted messengers, a Keeper named Elara, who had a pact that allowed her to send messages through the wind.
Nora said, "Elara, use your pact to deliver this message to the Council of Windseekers and tell them to gather here by the week. This matter is of utmost importance, and their presence is required." Elara nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
Nora couldn't help but sigh as she prepared for the impending arrival of the eccentric members of the Council. Although they were an unconventional bunch, she knew they would be instrumental in the upcoming task.
Three days later Nora sat in the meeting room, the atmosphere charged with the familiar sounds of a heated exchange, which had seemingly become an integral part of these gatherings. They awaited Sophie's imminent arrival, who was scheduled to join them shortly.
"You're being ridiculous, Nina. This meeting could be crucial, so quit acting like it's a bother," grumbled Samuel, a hulking figure with a bald head, caramel skin and a long braided beard. As a devoted paladin of Zephyra, his fierce loyalty to their deity was unquestionable, and his words carried a deep and gruff tone that was all too familiar.
It appeared that her sister, was maintaining her reputation as a troublemaker. Every time Nina and Samuel attended a meeting, their dynamic of bickering and conflict seemed to be a well-established tradition. Samuel's strict adherence to the rules clashed with Nina's more unpredictable and impulsive nature, creating a colorful and often chaotic partnership within the Council.
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Attempting to maintain some semblance of peace, Alice, a diminutive elven woman, her vibrant green hair neatly tied in a ponytail that contrasted beautifully with her fair olive skin and striking deep blue eyes, interjected with an exasperated tone, "Calm down, she's just trying to get to you." Alice, who had been granted a healing pact, was known for her kind and nurturing personality, and she often played the role of mediator in these confrontations.
Nina, never one to back down, retorted with a hint of defiance, "You might want to heed her advice, big guy. Your size doesn't intimidate me." Nina had a tall stature and long, flowing black hair, with tanned skin and blue eyes.
Nina's confident demeanor was often accentuated by her effortless grace and a subtle, yet undeniable, air of authority. Despite her sometimes confrontational nature, those who knew her well understood that her boldness was matched by an unwavering dedication to her duties as a paladin of Zephyra. It was her combination of intellect and strategic prowess that had earned her a place on the Council four years ago, a position bestowed upon her by the High Priest preceding Nora.
She couldn't help but reflect on the complex relationship she shared with her younger sister. With a five-year age gap between them, their interactions had always been marked by a peculiar blend of rivalry and camaraderie. This dynamic had only grown more intricate and competitive since Nora's appointment as High Priestess two years ago, adding an additional layer of tension to their already intricate relationship.
She couldn't help but release a weary sigh as she listened as her sister made another comment, again attempt to incite an argument. This new exchange continued for another 15 minutes before Nora decided it was time to intervene. Clearing her throat, she brought about an abrupt hush that descended upon the gathering, effectively silencing the ongoing dispute.
"Hello, everyone. I'm grateful that you could respond to the short notice, but the matter at hand is of grave significance. It looks like Sophie will be running late, but since everyone else is here we'll go ahead and start without her," she addressed the room with a sense of urgency.
Nina wore a pout on her face and grumbled, "This had better be worth it. You made me travel halfway across the kingdom."
Nora's patience wore thin as she responded, "Someone has formed a complete pact with a wind elemental using magic. Now, you tell me how important that sounds." Her words carried a tone of weariness and frustration with her sister's nonchalance.
A collective gasp filled the room at Nora's revelation, including her sister, whose expression shifted from pouting annoyance to one of sheer horror and shock. The same sentiments were mirrored on the faces of everyone present, as the gravity of the situation became apparent.
Nora's gaze shifted toward Liam, the seasoned elder of the Council of Windseekers. Despite his relatively short stature, his well-maintained physique attested to his vitality, while his salt-and-pepper hair and dark brown eyes spoke of his wisdom and experience. Liam had remained notably silent throughout the gathering, hinting at his prior knowledge of the pact's formation.
"Liam," she addressed him directly, her voice carrying a sense of urgency, "I'm going to need you to track the holder of the pact." Liam met her gaze with a solemn nod.
Liam possessed a unique pact, akin to that of the Keeper who had first brought the troubling event to Nora's attention three days earlier. However, his was markedly more potent, bestowing upon him the ability to pinpoint the direction of any pact holder with precision.
Nora's instructions continued as she divided responsibilities among her council members. "Nina and Samuel," she addressed, "one of you will need to assemble a team and accompany Liam."
"Alice," Nora continued, "I need you to coordinate with the local healers and prepare a medical team to accompany Liam, and whoever goes with him on the mission. Ensure they have the necessary supplies for potential injuries and emergencies during their journey."
As the council members dispersed to embark on their respective assignments, Nora remained in the now-empty meeting room, her thoughts shifting to the upcoming challenges. With a deep breath, she steeled herself for what lay ahead.
A sudden gust of wind swirled through the room, and as Nora looked up, she found Sophie seated across from her. Sophie's presence didn't come as a surprise, as she had a penchant for appearing in such a manner.
"Oh, damn, did I miss the meeting?" Sophie inquired, her voice laced with sarcasm.
Nora frowned. "No, it's fine. Have you heard?" she replied.
Sophie nodded in acknowledgment of the situation. "Of course, but it seems like you have this under control. I'm about to travel to Darthic. Could you please resolve this before my return? I'd much rather not deal with the headache of killing some backwoods lunatic who stumbled upon mana control or uncovered forbidden texts." Her words were infused with nonchalance and a hint of boredom, as if she had encountered similar issues countless times before and preferred not to be bothered by such matters.
Sophie was an intriguing individual. As an elf, she stood at an average height, with long, flowing brown hair that added an air of ethereality to her appearance. Her striking green eyes held a certain mesmerizing quality and were known to occasionally emit a subtle, otherworldly glow.
What made her even more intriguing was that she held her status as the chosen of Zephyra for nearly two centuries, meaning she had a lifespan that surpassed even the longevity of most elves, who typically lived for around 150 years. Despite her centuries of service, Sophie retained a youthful appearance, and her carefree, youthful demeanor often belied her true age.
"Yes, I will handle it," Nora replied, her unease evident as she sensed Sophie's lack of seriousness in the matter.
Sophie, seemingly unfazed by the situation, responded with a breezy tone, "Oh, wonderful, I'll be off then!" She rose from her seat, appearing ready to make a swift exit.
Nora, however, wasn't entirely convinced and sought some guidance. "Wait, should I contact the other churches?"
Sophie let out a weary sigh, her demeanor growing more impatient. "No, don't bother. Like I said, someone just stumbled upon some magic or something. It's a common occurrence. The only thing that's different is that they figured out how to use mana speech and made a complete pact. It doesn't necessarily mean they understand what they did or how to replicate it."
Nora tried to express her concerns, beginning, "Yes, but what if they make another complete pact—"
"Do you realize how lucky they are to have one complete pact?" Sophie interjected, cutting Nora off, her voice tinged with exasperation. "The elemental and the pact holder have to bond their souls, which essentially means that if one dies, the other follows. It's not something that happens often, as elementals are typically averse to the idea of relinquishing their immortality through such means."
Sophie continued to downplay the situation, stating, "They might make a couple of minor pacts with other elementals. Mixed with their complete pact, they could be formidable, but it shouldn't pose a significant challenge for the knights you're sending."
In a rare moment of gravity, Sophie added, "In the unlikely scenario where they manage to form another complete pact, send word and I will come kill them myself."