The Celestial Forge
By: Schin Ka'Tharos
CHAPTER 21
(Part 1)
You reconcile all beings with compassion turned towards the self.
~
Ciara woke first. I had always believed she would be the first to make it through and had prepared accordingly. I was glad she was first as I knew my odds of successfully diffusing the situation would be easier with her than with Adeon. They were both incredibly clever and discerning which can cut both ways but with Adeon there was an edge to him I couldn't quite appraise and his order in waking confirmed my concerns.
I had underestimated the trial of Reflections and overestimated the both of them. It took another three months after I had reached 2nd Apprentice before Ciara finally woke from her unconscious state. After only a few days after they had collapsed I had grown concerned about their health and nourishment. While they were both Disciples they still required food and water just at a diminished level than a normal human body would. However, upon further inspection I realized the tower had put them in a type of status where they required no sustenance.
I had been in the middle of tinkering at the second workbench in the basement when I sensed a consciousness pushing against the tower. I rushed up to the room of reflections just before she fully woke and I settled in a few yards away from where I had laid her on some bedding. I could feel her mind press onto my awareness through my connection with the tower, like a bug landing on the skin of your neck.
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Ciara awoke abruptly and gasped for air like she was held underwater for too long.
“How are you feeling? I said.
“Schin?.” She blinked searching eyes repeatedly and wrestled with her breathing.
“This feels a bit familiar, no? This time, though, our roles are inverse.” I said. “Now, how are you feeling?”
“What was…what just happened?” She absently dug her fingers into her forehead and then jolted alert. “Adeon!?”
“He’s right over there.” I gestured to his prone form lying still on bedding a few paces away. “Don't worry. He is as safe as he can be. He’s still going through what you just did.”
Her eyes turned to lifeless stones. “You better start explaining immediately or I swear on my flame-”
“Whoa whoa, no need for that.” I said and set a bowl of dried meat and fruit in front of her with a glass of water. “I truly mean both of you no harm. I know you have a feel for how vulnerable you’ve been just now. I gave you both healing elixirs and made you a comfortable bed, not poisons and a knife in your gut.”
Her cold tension remained. I knew she was attempting to ignite her flame or access her essence.
“By my flame may I burn- “ I said. The stars in the room dimmed and the light pulled towards me. “If what I say now is not my true and binding intention. I promise that I, Schin, mean to cause you and your brother no harm and only desire a mutually healthy unity between us.“
The oath settled on me without noise and the room's ambience returned to normal. Ciara’s expression moved from confused to concern but I felt some tension leave her, although not all of it.
“I’m still waiting on my explanation.” She said and grabbed the glass and a piece of fruit. “And what in hell's ashes are you wearing on your face.?”
Next Chapter...
Chapter 21 (Part 2)