The Celestial Forge
By: Schin Ka’Tharos
CHAPTER 11
(Part 1)
In depths of brokenness renewal can be found.
-
Awareness crawled back to me as the crackling of flames disturbed my slumber. I lay on my side with my head on a soft texture and I felt oddly warm. Then came pain. Why was there pain everywhere inside and out? I searched my thoughts but my memories were disjointed and blurry. I stared into the flames that were in my direct line of vision for quite some time trying to clear my clouded mind and restore focus. As I gazed into the fire I could pick out flickers of black dots lacing the edges of the swirling yellow and orange flame.
It seemed my vision was as blurred as my thoughts so I closed my eyes, hoping to clear my mind and sight. My mind still couldn’t connect why there was a flame at all in front of me. Slowly the peaceful crackling guided me. The memories of sitting with Grandfather and Uncle by our fire back home slid back into place and with it came all of my other memories. The past few weeks events cascaded into my mind. I knew where I was now.
But why was there a fire?
“How are you feeling?” A woman’s voice sliced through my thoughts. It was impartial in its tone carrying only a slight hint of warmth.
I opened my eyes before speaking, trying to see beyond the flames into my surroundings.
“Who- Who’s there?”
“Just a traveler who happened to find your mostly dead body. Now, how are you feeling?”
“I’ve been better. Where are you traveler?” I tried to shift around on the ground to get a better view.
“I would take care before moving around. I’ve patched you up some but I have no skill in healing and you are in pretty rough shape. To be honest I’m surprised you're still alive. Do what you want though, at this point I’m just curious to see if you live through another night."
Despite her objections I had managed to partially roll over so that I could see her. She was leaning against the stone wall of what I surmised to be a partial cave we were in. I could see that we were somewhat enclosed by rock yet there was still natural light making its way to us from above from somewhere. Her arms were casually crossed, obscuring the crest that was on her chest plate made of what looked like thin silversteel.
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She had long black hair that was currently pulled back behind her head in a loose ponytail. The dark hair contrasted and complimented her soft facial features. Below her left eye there seemed to be some type of mark or wound but I couldn’t make it out in the dim light where she leaned in the shadows. She had a fashionable yet practical jacket of a midnight blue overtop the chestplate and underneath it all a modern cut of mage robes the color of cream with ornate blue edging.
I could tell that she was normally precise and particular with her appearance but her current state was completely battered and disheveled. Her fine yet not ostentatious attire was covered in grime and dried blood and from head to toe she was covered in rips and cuts that all looked fresh. It was clear I was not alone in experiencing difficulties recently.
"Who are you and what are you doing out here." While she kept her casual tone there was a slight edge to her questions.
“Stop trying to sound so harsh, sis.” A man’s voice cut in.
At this third person’s intervention the woman’s eyes shot up to where the voice had come from somewhere above my head. Her eyes went wide and a grimace formed on her face.
“Adeon!” She hissed out with clear annoyance.
“It’s fine. I know, don’t let him know you're here, yada yada. I told you it's fine. I’ve got a good feeling about him. Besides, look at him! I’d wager he’s more harmless now than any other creature at this moment in the entirety of Ildara. Maybe even all of Ga’el."
While he had spoken he had made his way to stand in front of me and then crouched down by my side. He flashed a smile while extending his left hand.
There was a clear relation to the woman he had just called "sis". His hair was the same rich black and while his face had some more harsh angles it also carried many of the same soft features. Like her his clothes and appearance were that of someone who had just gone through an intense battle and barely survived. He wore the same general colors and style of his sister except his mage robes were a soft red hue and he wore no chestplate. Instead draped across his left shoulder and running down to his hand was an intricate overlapping armor that looked to be made of the same silver steel as his sister's chest plate. Painted on the shoulder was an emblem every inhabitant in Ildara knows, the emblem of the Seekers Guild.
“Hi, names Adeon!”
I gave the outstretched hand a brief side glance.
"Oh sorry, this may not be customary from where you come.” He said cheerily as he started to pull back his hand.
I reached out and clasped it, “No, you’re fine. I am familiar with it. My name is Schin”
I stole a glance to his sister and saw her rubbing her forehead with the tips of her fingers with eyes closed. She glanced over to us and seemed to remember herself. A more stoic look fell over her face as she crossed her arms again.
“Adeon is my brother. Younger brother. I am Ciara,” she added a slight formal bow at the end.
“See, now we’re on friendly terms.” Adeon said. “My sister was telling the truth though, you really are in bad condition. I’d love nothing more than for us to sit around getting to know each other, swapping stories over a drink by the fire but I think we should focus on getting you some help first. I have even less skills in healing than my sister. Which now that I think about it, one of us should really start to-“
“Alright, Adeon.'' Ciara cut in. ”You’re right. Let’s focus on helping Schin survive another night. I don't know if you've tried Soulforging yet Schin in order to assess your current status but I fear it's not looking good. When we first found you a few days ago I could sense very little essence within you when I checked and it’s only fallen more faint with every passing day. I could sense nothing last night. I wasn't lying when I said I'm surprised you're alive.”
I had indeed been trying to assess my core and Soulforge ever since I had first heard her speak. The problem was she was right, there was almost no essence within my core. An almost more dreadful discovery had come when I checked my soulcore itself. Layers of it had shattered and broken off which was something I didn't even believe possible. I had shoved the horror of my discovery to the back of my mind while I had been interacting with them but now, with my attention returned there the reality of it came crashing back.
My soulcore was shattered and my essence was practically gone.
Next Chapter...
Chapter 11: In Depths of Brokenness Renewal Can Be Found (Part 2)