The Celestial Forge

By: Schin Ka'Tharos

CHAPTER 21

(Part 2)

“Yes, you deserve an explanation.” I said. “As I understand it, this tower was created by an ancient Ascended hundreds if not thousands of years ago. I wish I knew more of its history and its workings. It has fallen to me to be the tower's caretaker and I hope to remedy my lack of understanding of it over time. While I do have some history with this place this was not my home. However, it is the only place at the moment I can claim as the closest thing I have to a home regardless….”

“-Anyway, while unfortunately much of the tower remains a mystery to me, I am fairly familiar with this floor. This floor of the tower, which is this single open room that you see around us, is called the Room of Reflections. Upon first entering this room, you are judged.”

“Judged on my past…” she cut in.

“Not quite.” I said. ”Not necessarily judged on your past, rather you are forced to confront and reflect upon your past. Your response and reaction is what determines whether you are a threat or not.”

“Threat?” Confusion flitted across her face.

“Yes. Your intentions. Aims and goals.Your character as well, for a lack of a better way to say it. These are weighed and judged to determine your threat to the tower…and all of Ga’el too I suppose. “ I drifted off, lost in thought.

“So, was I determined to be a threat?” She said, bringing me back to the conversation.

“You already know the answer. For you, failure would mean death. I know you saw your death clearly laid out before you as a possible outcome of the trial.” I said, confusion now moving to my own face but I moved on. “From our time spent together I felt I had a good sense of who the two of you were, well as much as one can from only a handful of days with someone.But the nature of our time spent together is the type that helps you truly know a person. Outside the tower before we came in I tried to confirm my convictions as much as I could.”

“I knew what you would encounter upon entering the first floor of the tower. I’ve been through the Reflections Trial as well, of course, albeit long ago and I suspect our experiences are somewhat different.” I stared up into the faux stars that were now so familiar to me. “I’ve had glimpses of the trial recently though, that have…. refreshed my memory of it. Once you pass the floor trial you’ll never have to go through it again, but with any significant time spent within the room you will still get flashes and small impressions of reflections.Just know the first trial shouldnt happen again, you’ve already been judged.”

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“You keep using the word judged. Who is the judicator? You?” she asked.

“The tower itself, I suppose.” I shrugged. “Mainly,I think of it as a judgment because if you do not succeed, your life is forfeit. Your death is your penalty for failure. The tower itself will slay you. Seems like as simple a judgment as there can be. Life or death.”

She looked over with concern to Adeon.

“You know what he is going through.” I said. “And you also know his nature, have faith in him.”

Though her concern lessened, it remained rooted deep in her eyes. The silence that hung in the air felt needed so I remained quiet.

“So ultimately,” she said after a few minutes had passed and she had finished a handful of dried meat and fruit. “You tried to appraise whether or not we would be successful in passing the trial. If we were both honest with you and genuinely wished or posed you no harm we wouldn't be in danger. If not, then we die and your threat would be eliminated.”

I knew she was quick. I couldn't stop the smirk that crept across my lips.

“There was also a mortality complication.” I added. ”I was practically about to enter the endless cold of the endless night while we waited outside the tower. I was….barely alive.”

“I noticed that.” She said, “I am also noticing that you seem to be in rather fine health right now. How did you not only stabilize yourself but then recover to, what looks like, beyond full health?”

“Well a lot has happened while you’ve been out.” I said.” I’ve been able to accomplish quite a bit in three months.”

“-Three months?”

“Over three actually. Time is different in the trials, you may only feel like you’ve been in a long dream. But I assure you well over three months have passed since you first entered the tower.”

“How in hell’s ashes am I not dead then? And while I certainly feel weak, three months with no food, water, nutrients, movement or forging? Even with my disciple body I should be incredibly feeble at this point if not simply dead.”

“The tower put you into a stasis during the trial. You can check Adeon and confirm it if you wish. He is currently within it as we speak.”

I got up from where I had been sitting and began to stretch. It felt odd to speak to someone again. Three months alone had made the conversation feel surreal.

“We are not nearly done with your explanations.” She said, “I have plenty of other questions.”

Still, she began to stir from her seated position and stretch herself.

Next Chapter...

Chapter 21 (Part 3)