“Many would-be scholars throughout history have speculated upon the mandates and mission of the Adjudicators,” Acumen began, his disembodied voice filling the void. “They touch upon the truth, but are found lacking in their eccentric speculations. They look for complexity of purpose where there is none.”
Dozens of images winked into existence throughout the now darkened area, each depicting various races acting out their lives in a variety of ways.
“The unornamented truth is the majority of sentient races stagnate in their growth if left to their own devices, never reaching the fullness of their potential. Whether through complacency…”
Everywhere he looked, Kedryn saw scenes that filled him with a contented smile. Farmers tilling their fields with children running alongside, lost in the simplicity of youth as they played. He found a father showing his sons the proper way to shoe a horse. A merchant plying her trade, traveling from market to market with the tell-tale spark of joy in her eyes. Many more scenes came and went, each filled with simple contentment.
“Oppression…”
The images surrounding Kedryn shifted from the idyllic lives he had witnessed to marching armies on campaign, trodding fields of grain under their feet. Dictators stood tall on their mounts, directing the wholesale slaughter of innocents.
Kedryn recoiled from the images, a feeling of dread filling his soul more images appeared. Images of people bound in literal and metaphorical chains as they were paraded in front of him by tyrants and sycophants.
“Lasciviousness…”
The scenes once again changed to images of crowds cheering raucously inside an arena as men and women slaughtered one another for entertainment. Others showed races of all kinds drinking themselves into oblivion while others outright lazed about, ignoring themselves and others in their desperate search for self serving endeavors.
“Or the insidious face of apathy,” Acumen said, the images surrounding Kedryn shifting to scenes of those with wealth and influence ignoring the plights of those suffering under the burdens of poverty in all its many forms.
Kedryn watched a particularly heart wrenching moment as a young girl was dragged from the arms of her frantic mother, both pleading for someone, anyone, to intervene on their behalf as the crowd surrounding them looked everywhere but the victims of circumstance.
Scene after scene played out in moments, each story burned into his memory like living flames.
“No matter the reason, the naked truth is that the seeds of eternity, when left to their own devices, fail to take root and reach for the heavens as is their birthright,” Acumen explained in an overly solemn voice. “Hence, the Adjudicators, whose sole charge is to mediate the growth and development of all sentient beings, regardless of race, gender, species, power, or favor.”
The displays before him merged until only eight remained, each depicting a scene where a person was lifted up and imbued with the authority and embodiment of one of the divine attributes. Runes of power burst into being above their heads - perseverance, courage, meekness, passion, sacrifice, creation, honor, and finally intellect.
“Who chose you?” Kedryn asked, mesmerized by the display.
“Your requested boon has already been finalized,” Acumen said again, giving no indication that Kedryn’s interruption bothered him in the slightest. Instead, the Adjudicator simply continued his discourse.
“The Adjudicators' purpose is to foster the growth of these divine characteristics within the seeds of eternity we have branded as our own. There is but one restriction that is as inviolable as the heavens and hells themselves. We cannot, and will not, violate the immutable laws governing free will upon the material world.”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
There was a momentary pause as Acumen allowed the information to sink in.
Kedryn’s mind reeled, the explanation something he had been expecting in one degree or another, but hadn’t realized all of its implications.
“That must make it challenging for you to do your jobs,” he speculated aloud. “I mean, if you have to work around free will, that means you have to let the consequences of others' choices ride all the way out without intervening.”
“Your response is well reasoned,” Acumen said with the barest of nods. “We cannot interact directly in the affairs of mortals. But we can influence those carrying our brands through indirect means.”
“Is that what quests are for?” Kedryn asked excitedly, his eyes widening with understanding.
“Your requested boon has already been finalized,” Acumen responded.
Kedryn wanted to growl in frustration. It was clear the Adjudicator couldn’t answer any further questions, but he had validated one of Kedryn’s theories. Which meant that if he wanted answers he would have to go about it in a roundabout way.
Minutes passed as he wrapped his mind around this brain cramping revelation. It made sense that the quest system was a means of indirectly influencing people. But in his limited experience, he had as much direct contact with the godlike beings as indirect contact. When they first arrived, he and Glade had stumbled out of the rift into the eighth plane, the literal home of the Adjudicators. Then there was the fact that both of them had used their naming abilities to send others to trials. And if those weren’t evidence enough, here he was speaking with Acumen in a labyrinth. It didn’t get much more direct than that. How did that fit within the framework Acumen had just explained?
“I can see how the quest system allows for indirect influence,” he began tentatively. “And I’m sorry for what I’m about to say, but I have witnessed too many examples of direct interaction with Adjudicators to simply accept your explanation at face value.”
He had been careful to pose his response more as a statement rather than a question. True, it came out as more of a declaration, possibly even a criticism, but the important part was that he highlighted his need for more information. Hopefully, it would be enough that Acumen would respond positively.
It wasn’t. The moment he finished speaking Kedryn could feel the flat look radiating from the Adjudicator.
“Your response is… noted,” Acumen said in a deadpan voice.
Kedryn winced, making a mental note to avoid blatant statements of ignorance in the future. He supposed it made sense. Afterall, someone who embodied intelligence would likely encourage well reasoned speculation over poorly veiled attempts at fishing for information.
“I have provided sufficient data to adequately enhance your understanding concerning the mission and restrictions me and my siblings operate within,” Acumen said, not bothering to comment on Kedryn’s recent statement. “As requested, I shall now share with you the fundamental purpose and workings of labyrinths,”
The images around him began to coalesce into a large, rotating planet. The land was vast. Far larger than Kedryn had thought possible if he were being honest.
“As stated before,” Acumen continued. “We are restricted from interfering directly with mortals within the material realm as even a passing whisper of our power would unduly influence events and upset the delicate balance of free will. However, we are permitted direct adjudication if those under our charge were removed from said realm.”
Kedryn’s jaw dropped. Did that mean what he thought it meant? That labyrinths were gateways to other planes?
For the first time since coming to Veil, Kedyn wished he had something to take notes with. He could already imagine how both Riya and Bragden were going to react once he shared this with them. More specifically, how pissed they were going to be that he didn’t capture the finer details.
“Three fundamental laws govern the administration of these domains,” Acumen continued, the globe in front of Kedryn zooming in toward what he guessed was Asylum. In moments, the scene coalesced into the white gate they had passed through earlier. “The first one being that once begun, you cannot stop.”
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Glade looked about, fighting down the anger that threatened to overwhelm him. After what felt like hours of intense back to back combat he found himself once again inside the tunnels where he had entered. Only now, where there had once been open space behind him now stood a blank wall.
“You know, Acumen” Glade grumbled aloud. “I really, really hate you.”