Chapter 27: Audience With The Overseer

Abel walked alongside the others, the looming trees of the Stone Forest casting long, ominous shadows over their path. Every now and then, a breeze would sweep through, making the branches creak and the leaves rustle like whispered secrets passing between ancient beings. The atmosphere was tense, thick with an eerie stillness that made the forest seem alive—watchful. Though their task was done and Gravedigger’s breakthrough had been successful, there was a palpable unease that followed them as if the forest itself wasn’t ready to let them go.

Elara, her face lit by the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the branches, sidled closer to Lorne, her interest in him now unmistakable. "You were amazing back there, Lorne," she said, her voice almost too loud against the quiet murmur of the night.

Lorne gave a modest shrug but couldn’t hide his pride. "My family... they’re warriors. I’ve trained for this my whole life." His voice was calm, but there was an underlying edge to it, a practiced confidence that spoke of years spent honing his skills. Abel listened but remained quiet, keeping to the back of the group. He was impressed by Lorne’s abilities but wasn’t the type to get drawn into these conversations.

His mind was still buzzing from the encounter earlier, the creature’s twisted form, and Gravedigger’s ritual. The chill in the air seemed to deepen as they walked, the occasional snap of a branch or distant growl only adding to the oppressive weight of the forest. Abel glanced at the shadows out of habit, convinced for a moment that he saw them move on their own. He shook the thought away, but the uneasy feeling lingered.

Gravedigger, now walking with a more confident stride, was in high spirits. His breakthrough had clearly given him a new sense of power, and there was a quiet authority about him now that hadn’t been there before. The bone strapped to his back seemed to pulse with a strange energy, as though it were still connected to whatever ancient force had helped him become an Apostle.

"There’s something you all need to know," Gravedigger said suddenly, his voice gravelly yet calm, breaking the tension as they made their way through the forest. "Becoming an Apostle... it’s not about hitting some magic number or threshold. You need a stimulant—something powerful enough to spark a reaction, to gather and focus the mana inside you, further allowing you to manifest your mana pool."

He paused for a moment, and Abel could see the others hanging on his every word, Elara included.

"For me," Gravedigger continued, patting the ancient bone slung over his back, "it was this. The bone’s mana... it acted as the catalyst. I fused with its essence, and now it’s part of me. If you want to reach that next level, you’ll need to find your own stimulant."

Abel listened carefully, mentally taking notes. The idea of needing a stimulant to focus mana and create a mana pool was a revelation. It gave him direction—something tangible to work towards. Around him, the others were nodding thoughtfully, clearly thinking the same thing. This information could be vital for their futures, and Gravedigger had just handed it to them.

The group continued their journey, their conversation quieting as they neared the Tower. The trees seemed to loom closer as if the forest was reluctant to release them. The wind picked up again, carrying with it strange, unidentifiable noises that sent shivers down Abel’s spine. The forest was filled with odd flickers of light in the distance, ghostly and pale, but none dared comment on them. Shadows danced and flickered, their movements unnatural, as if the forest itself was alive with secrets.

The sight of the Tower’s faint glow in the distance was a relief, and as they broke through the edge of the forest, Abel felt the weight of the woods lift ever so slightly from his shoulders. The others seemed to relax too, their steps quickening as the towering stone structure came into view, a beacon of safety.

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Gravedigger’s mood was buoyant despite the eerie atmosphere. As they reached the Tower’s entrance, he immediately called out to Glandel, his voice echoing in the stillness. Glandel emerged from the task office, his face impassive as always, but there was a flicker of interest in his eyes when he saw the group return.

Gravedigger stepped forward, addressing him formally. "I seek an audience with the Faculty Overseer," he said, his tone respectful but confident. "I’m ready for my promotion to Apostle."

Glandel’s gaze sharpened as he looked Gravedigger over, clearly assessing him. After a moment of silence, he gave a single nod. "Very well," he said, his voice low. He reached for his badge, the smooth metal glowing faintly as he touched it. A subtle pulse of light spread from the badge, a signal to the higher-ups.

As this happened, a few recruits from other rooms had gathered at the top of the stairs, drawn by the commotion. Their eyes gleamed with curiosity and awe as they peered down at Gravedigger and the group. Abel shifted uncomfortably under their gaze, feeling the sudden pressure of being in the spotlight. He moved to the side, slipping into the shadows, hoping to avoid the attention. He preferred to remain unnoticed, especially now.

The Faculty Overseer would be arriving soon, and the atmosphere in the hall grew tense as everyone waited for what would come next.

As the soft glow from Glandel's badge faded, the air in the main hall grew thick with anticipation. The recruits above, their faces half-hidden in the shadows of the staircase, leaned in closer to see what was happening. Whispers floated through the air, growing louder as the seconds passed.

Gravedigger stood tall, his demeanor calm yet filled with a quiet triumph. The bone strapped to his back still hummed faintly with the lingering power of the ritual, and his eyes seemed to gleam with a newfound confidence. It was clear to everyone that something fundamental had changed within him.

Glandel, however, couldn't mask his surprise. His dark eyes studied Gravedigger carefully, the flicker of disbelief crossing his usually stoic face. Of all the recruits who had passed through the Tower's doors, Gravedigger was not one he had expected to rise to such heights. Glandel had seen many like him—quiet, unassuming, lacking the natural charisma or raw power that often marked a future Apostle. In fact, Glandel had pegged Gravedigger as one of the recruits who would likely fade into obscurity or, worse, perish on one of the many dangerous missions the Tower offered.

But now, as he stood before Glandel, there was no mistaking the shift in his presence. He had survived, thrived even, where others had faltered. And the bone strapped to his back—an ancient relic that now pulsed with a strange, arcane energy—was proof enough that Gravedigger had found his own path. He had not only endured but also uncovered a rare power that was both unique and formidable.

Gravedigger’s success stood as a quiet reminder to Glandel that even the most unassuming recruits could defy expectations, especially in a world as unpredictable as the one surrounding the Stone Tower. The magic that flowed through the land had a way of choosing its champions, often from those least expected.

With a subtle shake of his head, Glandel stepped forward, his expression softening ever so slightly. "You’ve surprised me," he admitted, his voice a low rumble. "I didn't think you’d last long enough to see this day, Gravedigger. But here you are, standing on the brink of becoming an Apostle."

Gravedigger gave a small, respectful nod, but there was a fire in his eyes that spoke of determination and quiet pride. He had earned this moment.

The tension in the room thickened as the sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor. The Faculty Overseer was arriving, their presence carrying the weight of authority and judgment. Glandel stepped back, his gaze lingering on Gravedigger for just a moment longer before turning toward the approaching figure.

The recruits above, who had been eagerly watching, now buzzed with whispers. Gravedigger’s ascension was not just a personal victory—it was a moment of inspiration, a reminder that even those who seemed destined to fade could rise with the right spark.

Abel, still tucked away in the shadows, observed it all in silence. There was a strange sense of admiration swelling inside him. He had always known that the journey to become an Apostle was filled with trials, but watching Gravedigger—someone who had been seen as a likely failure—stand at the edge of such an achievement reminded Abel that the path ahead wasn’t reserved for the most obvious candidates. It was open to anyone with the grit and resourcefulness to seize it.

The Faculty Overseer’s arrival would mark the next stage of Gravedigger’s journey, but for Abel, it was a chance to reflect on his own. The power, the knowledge, the strange mysteries of the Tower—all of it seemed closer than ever, and yet still veiled in shadow.