The fire flickered once, twice then went out, smothered by the tension. Silence fell over the room as two men took each other's measure.

“Do you have any idea what you are asking of me?”

“Yes, that is why I am so conflicted. Maybe it is better if I start from the beginning. Are you aware of the entity known as the Sentinel?” Jack nodded his head.

“Thousands of years ago the Sentinel came to this world as part of a grand experiment. They showed us how to sense magic and a very basic method of manipulating it. The people in power gathered all of their wise men and attempted to master this new power. You can guess what happened next.”

“War.”

“Slaughter! The streets ran red with the blood of the innocent as those that thirsted for power rampaged. Over a millennia, factions were formed and everyone took one ‘path’ or another. Darkness, treachery, and oppression were the new normal. Then one day the Sentinel appeared once more. They made two declarations. The first one was a new set of mandates. The first was that there will be no more war and the second was that all children are to be protected. After this, the Sentinel warned that if the laws were broken then they would send an agent to bring justice to those who dare trespass on these laws. This agent's name is the Adjudicator.”

Felix stared into Jack’s eyes. “I need to know if you are the one chosen by the Sentinel. I hereby vow on my power that I will keep everything I learn to myself and will do everything to help you grow. That is if you are who you claim.” A new sensation overtook the tension that held sway. Jack just knew somehow that Felix had bound himself to that promise.

Since coming to this world, the only person Jack had been able to trust completely was his master. Now, having heard this story, so much made sense to him.Thus, he was very grateful to Felix for clearing up his purpose and position. Was it enough though? The oath sounded nice but did it actually have any effect whatsoever on the big man's choices? It didn’t stop him from attacking once he made it inside of Jack’s Soulscape. He needed more than a mystical promise. He needed the truth. “Why do you need to see my Soulscape to prove that I am the Adjudicator?”

“Because, in order to come here through the space between worlds, one must first throw away their mortal coil and become something more. You show all of the warning signs of such a transformation. This is the simplest way to confirm whether you have undergone such a rite.”

Jack was starting to get suspicious. Those words were eerily similar to his masters, almost as if… “You have spoken to the Sentinel directly, haven’t you?”

Felix flinched hard and his eyes changed color a dozen times in a flash. The splendor of the earth lay inside. “How did you know?”

Jack scoffed. “You are the only person that I have met in this world that even has an inkling of what I am, let alone the transformation I underwent to get here. Also, you kept quoting the Sentinel. Maybe not word for word, but it was more than enough for me to notice.”

Felix gave him a cheeky grin in response. “I guess that is all the confirmation anyone needs. Will you agree to my request?”

“Sure.” He replied, feigning nonchalance. Then he opened his mind and let Felix in.

…

Jack was standing in front of his Hearth. Much was still the same as before. His chair was still there, his Master was still seated, and the woodpile was... Why was the wood pile so large? There were ten logs stacked up in a two by two crisscross. He barely had time to take that in though as the space next to him started to shift.

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It was not as dramatic as his shift from the earth. One moment, there was a warping in the fabric of space, and the next Felix was standing there. The hulking man was even larger here as if the outside world had been restricting him. His skin now matched the ever-shifting patterns of earth tones of his eyes.

This disciple greets the Master. He bellowed. A tremor spread out from him as he prostrated himself. Jack had to set his feet to avoid being knocked over. Then something strange happened. When the tremor intersected with his Hearth, the crossed bars on the sigil lit up in multicolor fluorescence. All of a sudden, Jack understood that this was to represent the logs in the Fire. He sensed something else too, right at the tip of his proverbial reach but it slipped away.

Felix got up from his crouch and gave a small bow to Jack. I apologize for that. My carelessness almost caused you significant harm. Will you forgive me for my lapse in Judgement?

It’s fine. Nothing’s broken, and I think that whatever that was showed me… something. Something important.

The figure of the Sentinel was still seated comfortably. They waved at Felix in a lifting motion before speaking. Get up, you oaf. I will ignore your ridiculous behavior due to our long absence from one another. No need to bow or scrape between family.

Felix stood up slowly and set his feet. As if his own weight would crush him if he wasn’t careful. It is good to see you again. Also, thank you Jack for trusting me enough to allow this meeting.

Jack felt a little guilty. To him, this was a trust but verify situation. If Felix meant harm then he figured the Sentinel would discover the treachery and assist him in repelling Felix.

Both of you calm down and take a seat. The Sentinel snapped their fingers and an earthen chair rose from the ground. They both sat down. Jack took the opportunity to throw some logs in and stoke the Fire. It grew another couple feet and started to flicker an orangish color at the edges. Everyone let out a sigh of relief as the rising smoke surrounded and infused them with peace.

The Sentinel spoke first. It has been a long time, Little Boulder. I see that you have been thriving.

Felix grimaced. I told you that I hate that nickname, and I wouldn’t call my current situation thriving. The word desperate would be more appropriate. As the Empire continues to develop, they continue to poison the land. It takes nearly all of my power just to keep the taint at a reasonable level inside the capitol. He put his head in his hands. Tears shimmering at the edges of his bloodshot eyes. All the self control from earlier was gone. Exhaustion lined his face. Thoughts of Atlas sprang to mind when Jack examined his profile.

The Sentinel reached out a hand to comfort the large man. Have no fear. For I have sent another to assist you in your quest. This is Jack, my Adjudicator. I saw your conversation outside so I know that was your goal in coming here. Take a look at his foundation.

The big man peered up at the sigil made of Fire and why he was beginning to suspect to be other powers he had yet to grasp. His eyes tracked to the crossed bars at the bottom and his eyes widened. We… We have a connection. This is wonderful news!

Jack decided that now would be a good time to intercede. He crossed his arms in a halting motion. Hold up, I still have no idea what is going on. Can someone explain in terms that I will understand?

Very well, this is your elder disciple brother Felix Earthguard. Like you, he took on a new name upon taking his first step as a Sage. Thirty years ago I was checking over the land to see if my mandates were being upheld. To my surprise, I discovered a young boy living off of the land far from civilization. He was somehow able to cleanse himself and start the process of transformation. There was no way I would allow such an opportunity to go to waste, so I took him on as a student much like I did you.

It is my hope that you will be able to assist him in your mutual goals and help shoulder his burdens. Is that acceptable to you?

Jack was speechless. The infodump he had just undergone previously was going to take him a while to sort through. Does this mean I can talk to him about anything? You know, without wondering who works for who and all that.

Yes. Felix responded after a pause. He seemed to be warming up to the idea. As he spoke his words became more confident. As my junior disciple, I will assist you in all the cultivation questions you might have. Also once having been human myself, I can direct you in your path in ways that master cannot.

Jack liked that idea. Having to go to sleep anytime he had a question was already getting old. Speaking of which. He started barraging them with questions about all the things he had learned today. Felix took over and started answering his basic questions. Mostly he just asked yes or no questions to confirm what he learned at the academy was legitimate.

When he finally seemed to run dry, Felix waved his arms to make him stop. Wish there, you are quite the inquisitive one. Before we answer any of your questions let's return to the material plane. I will leave a link between our Soulscapes in order for us to communicate later. Then a large signpost grew out of the ground. It resembled one of those poles that cities liked to put in the main square, the kind that pointed to another city and listed the miles between. There was only one sign on it right now. It read. “Felix Earthguard - 0.1 Kilometers”

When you fall asleep tonight, just follow this sign and it will take you to my Soulscape. This is the very least that I can do to repay your trust. Then the world faded and he was sitting in the armchair next to Felix… His brother, once more