While most Titled Ones have their names recorded somewhere, there are several unknowns. Two of the Companions, for one — the Hero and the Wanderer, whose real names either do not appear in any record or have been redacted.

And then the Oracle and her sister, the Submerged Leviathan. The two are some of the few people alive who are old enough to remember the Eternal Night. Despite this venerable history, they have rarely made an appearance in our history under the Sun, and much about them remains shrouded in mystery.

How did they come about their role as Oracle and Sanctuary's defender?

Where did they come from?

With the Red Emperor dead, the only ones who know may be themselves, and they are rarely in a divulging mood.

Their birth names, if they even have them, have never been found.

— Excerpt from Titled Ones, by Scholar Gibryl of the Fallen Star Pavilion

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City Center, Day of the Whale of ZhiXia's Trial

"Everything is ready, then?" Aster glanced at the paper Khalim handed him, his eyes running down the checklist of items the Sharks needed to oversee before the vote: the trial grounds, the podium, and the voting booths. "No interference from either Sanctuary or HuaLang Chamber?"

"Yes," the vice-leader answered smoothly. "We'll be able to proceed as planned."

"I'm surprised. I was quite certain they would try something. The Oracle can't be predicted, but Scarlette didn't even come to see the Whale of ZhiXia." Aster paused, then continued down the hall. "She's up to something, but I suppose we'll just have to deal with it when it comes to light."

They entered the main room, where twenty of their group were waiting. Most of the rest were at the trial grounds, no doubt still preparing for the trial. Aster walked among those present, greeting each one by name and commending them for their efforts. Their newest recruit, a young man named Bryce, nodded just a bit reservedly, but Aster did not mind. He had high hopes for that one, having seen his opening match during the Festival.

Aster walked in front of the Sharks, seeing them stand at attention. The sight made him proud. Though the Whale of ZhiXia was synonymous with the peace of ZhiXia City, it was their combined discipline and efforts that had truly mattered during the past few days. The people he had trained, in whom he had instilled a sense of duty. ZhiXia was their city, and it made no sense to rely on the goodwill of any single person.

Khalim stood off to the side, but Aster waited several moments, ensuring all eyes were on him before he began.

"I know some of you have misgivings about today's events," he addressed the biggest problem first. "And I am not unaware of them. We find ourselves at a crossroads, faced with a challenge that requires we rise above our personal sentiments and uphold the responsibility entrusted to us. Being part of the Sharks has always meant respecting the Title of the one who kept ZhiXia City safe for many centuries before his mantle fell to the Whale of ZhiXia. And today, we are bound by our duty to enforce the law, even when it might be uncomfortable for us as individuals."

"Know that I share your hesitation as well, and I don't take it for granted that each of you are here despite it all. Though we serve as a whole, we also harbor our own personal beliefs and values. Some of you have lost loved ones. Others have experienced his kindness." His eyes met each of theirs in turn, as though he could channel his will through their connected gaze. "I only want to remind you of this: our job is not to determine what is right or wrong, only to enforce the law that has been passed down for so many generations."

Aster raised his voice. "If you're feeling unsure, that's understandable! If you're having second thoughts, then that proves you are still thinking with your mind, not your heart. We may not always agree with the laws, but it is not our role to pick and choose which ones to enforce. Our duty is to serve, protect, and administer justice impartially."

Seeing some of the members nod, Aster continued, "Today, I ask each of you to set aside personal biases and focus on the duty that we have sworn to uphold. I do not begrudge any of you for having a good relationship with or memories of the Whale of ZhiXia, but I ask that you do not allow your own biases to impede the right of each resident to cast their vote. We are the guardians of this City, and our commitment to justice must transcend our individual perspectives. It's not an easy task, but it's a noble one."

"If some of you do not think you can separate personal matters from public duty, I ask that you step forward now. I will neither shame nor berate you — in fact, it is important for us to acknowledge when we cannot divest our thoughts from our tasks. Commendable, even. You have a moment to decide."

He clasped his hands behind his back as he waited. No one stepped forward, and all met his gaze. After he felt he had given them sufficient time, he nodded. "Good. And I won't question it if you have a change of heart later; simply let another Shark know and I'll be informed. Are there any questions?"

"No, sir!" they shouted in unison.

"Tessa, Kat, Yong-he, and Leah," he barked, and the four named took a step forward. "The four of you are responsible for escorting our charge to the trial grounds." He tossed a set of keys to Tessa. "I don't expect interference, but Tessa is in charge in case any matters arise."

"Understood!" the four acknowledged.

Aster turned to the rest. "Now, we will need to secure the trial grounds and make certain the voting booths are working as expected. You have all been assigned your tasks — dismissed."

Aster and Khalim watched as the members filed out of the room, then followed.

"Do you anticipate any problems?" he asked Khalim as they walked down the hall.

"Very little that can come to mind," the vice leader replied. "Sanctuary has acknowledged ZhiXia City's independence in these matters. And I understand you've spoken to the Madam of HuaLang Chamber. There are some of the leftover Festival celebrants, a caravan of mursashu, and early worshippers on a pilgrimage, but there shouldn't be enough to matter. They won't be allowed to vote regardless, considering they aren't residents."

"We'll make a public reminder before the event starts," Aster said. "Detain anyone who proves to be a public nuisance until the results are in."

"Then there's only the matter of the execution of a guilty verdict," Khalim spoke delicately. "In the event the residents vote him guilty, the Whale of ZhiXia is to execute himself via suicide."

"Yes?"

"Well," Khalim hesitated uncharacteristically. "It's one thing to be sentenced to death. It's another to carry it out yourself. What do we do if he refuses or changes his mind? All of our jade has been used to bind him, but it's nowhere near enough to restrict his aura. The Whale of ZhiXia could still drown ZhiXia City if he wanted to, and none of us could stop him."

"He won't," Aster declared as they pushed past the front doors of the City Center into the City Square. "Where would he go after? The Empire? No Free City would take him, not if he displays such a wanton disregard for what has been agreed upon. No, he would be —" He fell silent, staring around at the Square. "Why is it so empty?"

The Square had been set up for the trial — a raised platform, a podium, and several voting booths set out, according to the proper procedures. Members of the Sharks were busying themselves raising two poles on the platform. Several tens of residents milled around, but Aster did not see the crowd he had grown accustomed to over the past few days.

"That's strange," Khalim also frowned, "The trial and voting are at noon. That's," he squinted up at the Sun, then muttered, "in roughly one and a half hours."

"The people should have begun gathering by now," Aster stepped down the stairs to approach the platform, beckoning towards one of his Sharks. "Tala, did people gather here earlier?"

The short, stocky woman shook her head. "No, Captain. I've been here overseeing setting up the platform since dawn, and these are the people that have shown up. Some may have wandered off for food, but not many."

"Then where…?"

"Captain Aster!"

Aster looked for the source of the shouting, frowning at the man who had just rounded a corner into the Square. "Galen?"

Galen wheezed as he approached, then held up a hand as he tried to catch his breath. Considering he was normally physically capable, the tall man must have run from his patrol at breakneck speed. After several huffs, Galen straightened himself. "Sanctuary just announced they are hosting public funeral rites. The Oracle herself will be conducting them at noon."

Aster frowned as some of the gathered Sharks began whispering. The Oracle was said to never leave the Inner Sanctum, and had certainly never made a public appearance during their lifetimes. "Are you certain?"

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"The Priestesses themselves are walking about the streets, announcing the general invitation to the public," Galen replied. "As I ran here, I saw many of the residents were already heading that direction."

"I see." Aster clenched a fist. The Priestesses wouldn't lie about something like this. Did that mean the Oracle had truly chosen to make an appearance now? A general invitation too; that meant even the residents of ZhiXia City would be tempted to go. Too many had lived their entire lives without ever seeing the elusive Titled One. "I see," he repeated to himself. At noon — right when the vote was supposed to happen. The timing was too precise to be coincidental.

"Should we go help enforce the lines for Sanctuary?" asked Galen.

"Sanctuary would have asked us for help if they needed it," Aster shook his head. Scarlette's move? No, HuaLang Chamber might have some weight with Sanctuary's Priestesses, but it would take too long for a Priestess to bring this to the Oracle's attention. It had to be someone with direct access to the Oracle. "We're going to continue as planned and secure the trial grounds before the accused is brought out. Return to your patrol, Galen. Everyone else," he raised his voice again, "Keep an eye out for any interference — I repeat, our duty hasn't changed! Ensure all residents can make their voices heard with their votes. To your designated stations!"

The rest of the Sharks saluted and ran to their duties. Aster nodded approvingly before he turned to Khalim. "Can we extend the time of the vote?"

The man shook his head. "The time has been set. No one can request a time change unless extraordinary circumstances happen."

"Even if some people may miss it?"

Khalim frowned. "The entire purpose of the announcement three days ago was to let people know the time of the vote. If people don't come, we assume they forfeit their right to vote. You were the one who mandated for the lowest amount of time allowed for voting in order to let residents get back to their day. We can't break the rules we set."

"Is this not considered interference from Sanctuary?"

"No?" Khalim's frown deepened. "How can it be? Sanctuary's choice has no bearing on what we’re doing. The people are making their own choice about where to go and what to do."

Aster fell silent, observing his people double-checking the four voting booths. The journeyman alchemists they had hired were making the final verifications on the carved runes on the stones, signing off on a wooden plate before they moved to the next one. A cluster of movement out of the corner of his eye caused him to turn, only to see Madam Scarlette entering the Square with what looked like half of HuaLang Chamber in tow. She smiled at him from behind a light blue veil and waved; Aster had known her long enough to recognize a genuine smile when he saw it.

"I see."

Of course. HuaLang Chamber were residents as well.

----------------------------------------

Sanctuary

"To be perfectly honest, this is working better than I thought," Primrose murmured. "Madam Scarlette was downright murderous yesterday when she thought you had given up on the Whale. But I'm impressed you thought of something like this; it ensures that those who are most likely to be emotionally affected by the deaths are here paying their respects instead of going to the Square to vote."

"We don't know the results of the vote yet," Molam replied. "Don't celebrate too early."

The two of them stood in front of Sanctuary, watching as the Priestesses organized the flocking mourners into lines. Residents had begun lining up as soon as the invitation was sent out, and Molam was quite surprised at how well it had all gone.

"And? What else is there to worry about?"

"Those who do show up will still vote based on how they feel." Master Ji's words echoed in Molam's thoughts, and he amended, "I don't blame the people for how they feel. I also understand why it's important for a direct voting system. I just… I don't know."

"I think I understand," Primrose watched the crowd with him. "'When there's three, one's bound to disagree.'"

Molam smiled at her quote. "Flangel the Wise."

"Yes. And remember when Shurra disagreed with you during our encounter with the OutCast? It happens."

"We voted then, though," Molam frowned. "In a way, all of you sided with my judgment."

"Shurra wasn't wrong though, was she? The OutCast could have been killed. You simply judged the cost to be too high. And if she had gone off on her own because she believed she was right?"

"She would have died. Against the OutCast, we needed to work as a group. There was no other option if we wanted to survive."

"And then the Armed Swordsman died instead."

Molam paused. "Yes," he replied, his mind on the slip of paper in his pocket. "Martyker did. And many more."

Just yesterday, he had explained his plan to both Nettie and Priestess Shantayla. When the two of them found no fault with the idea of letting the people choose for themselves which event they would rather participate in, he had asked Priestess Komura to confirm if it was possible. The Priestess thought it was, but pointed out that merely holding public funeral rites would only get the close friends and families of the dead to attend.

And so Molam had appealed to the one who could make it an event everyone wanted to attend.

"I still can't believe the Oracle agreed to a public appearance," Primrose muttered. "Her last one was supposed to be when she met with the Red Emperor, almost four centuries ago."

"Was it? I didn't know that."

"I heard some of the residents talking about it." Primrose stuck out her tongue.

"Ah."

"It's almost noon," Primrose noted. "Are you sure you can't come to the Square?"

Molam shook his head. "The Oracle had some stipulations for my… unique request. Despite the fact that I think she wants Master Ji to live just as much as we do." He fell silent, then sighed. "The wily opportunist."

"Is it bad?" Primrose asked, concern in her voice.

"No, it's just…" Molam thought about it, then sighed again. "Well, it won't matter. A small price to pay to get what we need."

"Now I'm curious what it is. Perhaps I should stay to help?"

"No, no, no," Molam replied hurriedly. "Go to the Square and participate as needed. You should be allowed to vote, having grown up in ZhiXia City. Remember; every vote counts — especially when the ones who are definitely going to the Square feel strongly about the issue."

"Fine," Primrose stepped lightly down Sanctuary's stairs, then turned back. "You're not going to disappear for weeks again, right?"

"No. As soon as this is over, we need to go to Oasis, remember? We need jade."

After regarding him with glowing eyes, Primrose nodded. "I hope everything goes well on your end."

"You too." Molam hesitated, then added, "Remember what Shurra told us, too, about GloomSire's bond being attacked. Something about that concerns me, but we don't know whether it'll impact anything today. Make sure I'm informed if anything happens, particularly about the results of the trial and vote."

Primrose nodded, then melted into the crowd, somehow leaving no trace of her vivid red hair. Molam looked for a moment longer, trying to see if he could spot her moving through the throng, but soon gave up. He turned and walked back into Sanctuary, slipping through a side door and making his way towards the Inner Sanctum.

The turnout was better than expected. The funeral rites would draw the friends and families of the casualties. The Oracle's appearance would draw other residents who had never seen her in person. All that was left was to hope HuaLang Chamber's people outnumbered those that felt strong enough about the Whale's mistake to show up.

And as long as GloomSire returned to ZhiXia City with Kalle, everything would be fine.

Or so Molam hoped. There was nothing else he could do, right?

He pushed the door to the Inner Sanctum open, shoving these thoughts to the back of his head. The familiar white glow greeted him as the door closed, and Molam bowed.

Not a full bow, but not without respect.

"Oracle."

The echoless voice came through the darkness.

"Is it time?"

"It's almost time, yes."

"Then let us go." The Oracle shook a hand out of her sleeves, revealing a burnt-orange feather. Holding it upright, she twisted the shaft between her fingers and let go — the feather twirled lazily in the air, then burst into flames that immediately extinguished themselves as the phoenix soared out.

Right in the middle of a dive, really? It sounded irate as it banked in midair and settled over its floating feather. I was stalking that rabbit all morning.

"I thought spirits don't need sustenance," Molam smiled.

I don't. But I do enjoy the hunt. It flapped its wings in an annoyed manner, then tucked them in. Ah well, there is time for that later. I am to hold the Seal while you and Molam prevent the humans from making a mistake, correct?

"Yes," the Oracle responded, then beckoned to Molam. "Come here, Molam. Help an old woman to her feet."

"The Leviathan isn't going to treat this as an attack on you, I hope?" Molam stepped carefully up to the dais, approaching the Oracle with an outstretched hand.

The Oracle laughed — and that echoed within the Inner Sanctum's walls. It seemed almost ethereal to Molam's ears. "No." She cocked her head to the side, as though listening to the echoes of her own laugh. "And my sister enjoyed your joke."

Molam froze, his eyes darting about the Inner Sanctum. "Is she here?"

"Her Domain has always covered Sanctuary." The Oracle's small hand grasped Molam's with incredible strength to pull herself up. She brushed the hem of her white robe, then straightened herself to full height — right to about Molam's chest. He tried not to stare, but the eyes glittered at him from behind the dragon mask.

"You should remember I began kneeling here at a young age, Molam," she said. "Or did you forget?"

"I didn't," he replied, "I just… even the Whale of ZhiXia was said to have achieved his Titled status when he was young, but he at least looks older than me."

"Ji was a young adult then and did not stop aging until he felt comfortable in his body. My position does not give me the choice to age." She took a small step, then another. "Thankfully, it means my bones still work."

Molam recalled the decade of living in the Castle in the Sky, and felt a wave of pity for the Oracle. He had been constantly bored, with only the spirits, the Princess, and RainBringer to interact with.

How had the Oracle endured her centuries here all alone?

"Let us proceed." She walked towards the exit to Sanctuary, still holding his hand.

"Ah, ahem," Molam cleared his throat as he shuffled along. "Must we hold hands?"

"You would let an old woman walk for the first time in centuries without offering aid?"

Molam couldn't tell if he was being teased or not, what with her near-monotone voice. Or was it still? He felt that she had seemed… more animated since she had stood up.

"Do you really need help, though?"

She paused and gazed at him from behind her mask. "Do you no longer need me to make an appearance?"

"Well, that's not what I said," Molam replied hastily.

"You may lead the way if you wish."

Realizing there was no point arguing, he led the way to the exit, with the Oracle in hand. A moment later, he adjusted his grip to be on her elbow. As surreptitiously as one could given the circumstances.

Thankfully, the Oracle did not comment on his change.

He hoped Primrose and Shurra were safely far away at the Square, for he didn't want to hear their comments on being the Oracle's escort later.