Chapter 31: Astralindar
Pristine marble walls trimmed with jade, emeralds, and amethyst-colored stone greeted the Professor and his students as they entered the Titan’s temple. The entryway held a small ornamental brazier filled with a similar arcane flame as the Sanctum’s Garden Plaza bonfire. A single table with a familiar onyx box stood before it.
The foyer's interior was lined with archways, each leading to several open chambers decorated with cushioned floor seats, scented flowers, and little else. Despite the calming simplicity of the fragrant decorations, Mercedes couldn’t shake the uncomfortable sensation of being closely observed that washed over her the moment she crossed the threshold.
There were other Mystics inside the temple's rooms of varying ages and ranks based on their uniforms. Most of them lounged comfortably against the cushions with their eyes closed, giving off the impression they were either meditating or sleeping.
After motioning for them to stay silent, Nicodemus led the Initiates down the hall and into an empty back room. He gestured towards three satin green pillows in the corner before taking the center one himself.
Dimitri and Mercedes watched him curiously and then took a seat on either side of the Professor. The Sparrow fidgeted for a moment before opening her skill list.
‘There’s no point in using [Spiritual Meditation] since my energy resources are fine. I might as well try [Spiritual Communication] and see if anyone responds.’
The albino peeked over at the already meditating Professor and blonde Initiate, whose chin slumped down against his chest after a few deep breaths. She mimicked their posture as best she could, legs crossed and hands draped loosely over her knees, before closing her eyes and activating [Spiritual Communication].
[Spiritual Channel System Open. Which of the following channels would you like to activate?]
Mercedes went with [Titan Observer Channel] and blinked as her vision shifted from the shadowy darkness behind her closed eyelids to a vast cosmic sky of purple and silver stars.
[Error! You lack the necessary Favor to communicate with any Titan associated with this Temple or Primal Sanctum.]
‘Right. The skill information did say it required at least 10 Favor to communicate with a Titan. It’s going to take more than a few prayer scrolls to get me there.’
[Notice! Titan Astralindar has opened a line of communication with you. Access Granted. Pending Confirmation.]
A new screen of green and silver with amethyst stars appeared against the cosmic backdrop with a simple prompt.
[Accept Titan Astralindar’s request to communicate privately with you? [yes] or [no].]
The Sparrow gave her approval, then tightened her grip around her knees as the temple seemed to fall away, leaving the albino floating in a cloud of swirling green smoke beneath thrumming violet stars.
A silver stream appeared below as Mercedes was lowered toward the glowing pathway of stardust. She took a hesitant step forward, half expecting to sink into the flowing liquid that stretched out before her, but found it surprisingly solid. Once she was certain she wasn't on the verge of falling or drowning, she peered through the fog around her and stiffened as a weighty invisible gaze pinned itself upon her, like a microscope inspecting a minuscule insect.
“Hello?” she said hesitantly.
“Greetings, Initiate Mercedes,” a soothing, calm voice responded, echoing through the swirling mist around her.
The albino continued to scan her surroundings. “Umm, you wanted to speak to me?”
“You are a mystery to me, Harbinger.”
Mercedes clenched her fists and held her breath as she waited.
“I have witnessed the beginning and end of many new races over the eons, some deserved and some heartbreaking. But you are the first beautifully complicated species I have seen mixed with such a chaotic bloodline—a rarity, if you will. And I have a deep fondness and fascination for rare and complicated beings.”
The Sparrow arched a brow as she moved cautiously in the direction of the voice, stopping when her toe crossed the border of the glowing silver pathway, revealing a gaping chasm below.
“Be careful, Harbinger. If you wish to end our conversation, you may leave the path, but I will not extend a second invite until you acquire the Favor points required,” Astralindar admonished with a hint of amusement.
“Sorry,” Mercedes muttered, feeling restless the longer she remained separated from her physical body. “What do you want from me?”
“Want?”
“You brought me here for a reason. Professor Nicodemus hinted that you and your Primordial sent him to aid me and provide me shelter in the Academy—so you must want or expect something in return.”
“You have a cynical mind, Harbinger. That is good. Naivety has killed far younger Mystics than you.”
“Then, with all due respect, could we skip the small talk and get to the point."
“Patience, Harbinger. It’s not as if you will reveal all your cards to me in return. Nor would I ask you to.”
‘She has a point—but still.’
“It would help me to trust you if I understood your motivations for assisting me,” Mercedes explained.
“My fledgling Harbinger. It is not your trust I want, but your favor,” Astralindar said with a subtle note of admonishment. “Arcantheon could have ended your mission and life the moment you set foot inside the Arcane Realms if He so wished. Instead, He offered you sanctuary and prevented Lustragon from tracking you down.”
The albino did her best to hide her surprise before repeating, “But why?”
“Because Nyxus will return. No, He must return. The Abyss has grown unruly in its Master’s absence. The first cracks of chaos have already materialized throughout the 13 realms.” A low, sinister whisper slithered through the yawning chasm below them as the Titan fell silent for a moment. “While we cannot deny our part in His imprisonment, we have no desire to hinder His return. If the Desolation of the Void were to fall into another’s hands, we might face an end worse than any retribution Nyxus could impose. To that end, we wish to ally ourselves with His Harbinger to ensure our realm's survival.”
The Sparrow blinked in astonishment before she choked down a laugh. “You—you actually think He will forgive your transgressions just because you choose to side with Him now?”
“Your doubt holds merit, but I am well acquainted with Nyxus’s nature. He is more rage than pride, more rational than impulsive. He would easily pardon a slight if those who were pressured to act against Him now stand in a better position to support His ambition and revenge upon those who orchestrated His downfall.”
‘She sounds—confident. It couldn’t hurt to let her believe it is a possibility.’
“Is that your only reason for helping me?” Mercedes pressed.
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
“So mistrustful.” Astralindar’s voice rippled through the swirling mist as she chuckled. “I suppose if I had to give another explanation, it would be that sometimes a little chaos is necessary to shake off the blindfolds of those who walk blissfully towards their own destruction.”
‘I wonder who she is referring to?’
The Sparrow raised a brow but decided a cryptic answer was likely the only response she’d get out of the Titan. “Was that your purpose for summoning me here? To tell me you're on my Master’s side?”
“I serve at the will of Arcantheon. He has foreseen the uncertain danger that lies before the Mystic Realms and believes restoring Nyxus to power will be in the best interest of the Arcane Realm’s future. So it is on His behalf that I would like to extend a deal to you, Harbinger.”
“I am in no position to make deals on behalf of my Master,” Mercedes corrected.
“You underestimate your worth, Initiate. It is your potential that draws our interest. To complete the mission Nyxus has set upon your shoulders, you must become as powerful as a Titan yourself.”
The Sparrow could summon no response to this statement.
“But you already knew that,” Astralindar said with a dry chuckle. “That’s why your offering to the Phoenix’s Flame listed both Knowledge and Power.”
The albino remained silent as she gripped her wrist tightly behind her back.
“Which is why I am extending this deal to you, Harbinger. Convey my Master’s desire for amnesty to your Master and persuade Nyxus that an alliance with the Arcane Realm is in His best interest.”
“That—will be difficult,” Mercedes said through clenched teeth. “I have not been able to communicate with Him since I left my old world.”
“I see,” Astralindar spoke with an audible purr as the arcane mist thickened with sudden anticipation. “Interesting. Yes, communicating with Him inside the Arcane Realm will be difficult since there are no temples or shrines in our realm erected in His name.”
“Perhaps you could offer a solution to this problem?”
“Oh, I always have solutions, Harbinger. The question is, can you survive the dangers necessary to achieve them.”
“Such as?”
“The border to the Abyss now lies under the control of the Demon Realm. Finding your way there will be challenging enough, but neither Abyssion nor his three Infernal Titan Lords hold any fondness for your Master, so surviving a journey through their realms at this stage—is rather hopeless.”
“Point taken. Any other suggestions?”
“You may already be aware of this, but one of Nyxus’s Titans survived the chaos that led to your Master’s imprisonment. When His power was at its weakest, Umbraxis broke free and aligned himself with another Primordial you may be familiar with, Thanaterus.”
The Sparrow nodded stiffly in acknowledgment as she waited for the Titan to continue.
“It is far easier to enter the Shadow Realm, even as a Novice, but whether Umbraxis would welcome an agent of his old Master, much less assist you, is another story. After all, Nyxus has every reason to wish him dead.”
The albino sighed as she rubbed the burning ache at the back of her throat. “May I offer a different approach? If I could communicate with one of Nyxus’s agents instead of the Primordial himself—”
“That is precisely the suggestion I had in mind,” Astralindar interrupted cheerfully.
‘Then why mention the other two?’
“But first, our agreement, Harbinger.”
“As I said, I’m in no position to promise you anything—but I will convey your wish for amnesty to my Master once I make contact with him again."
“Then, for my sake, will you at least swear as His Harbinger to do everything in your power to spare the Arcanum Mystic Academy and all whom it protects should the worst come to pass?”
The Sparrow did not miss the faint undertones of urgency in Astralindar’s words. ‘Perhaps this Titan truly cares about the Professors and students of the Academy?’ She folded her arms as she considered the downfalls of making such an oath carelessly.
“Is my request too difficult for you?”
‘Not really, but—’ The albino sighed in resignation.
“For as long as the Academy continues to offer sanctuary and protection to myself and others like me who wish to obtain knowledge regardless of our bloodline and background—I will do all that is within my power to see it is spared from my Master’s destruction. However, if you or the Academy should ally yourself with my Master’s enemies, this deal will be forfeit.”
“The oath must be sealed with your name, Initiate.”
“Only after you list the terms of your end of the deal,” Mercedes interjected firmly.
“Very well. For as long as Mercedes remains an ally to the Arcane Realm, I will do all within my power to ensure she safely graduates from the Academy and becomes a Disciple, at which time I will personally remove the magic barrier the Vrặjitoare have placed on your mind.”
The albino’s pink eyes sparkled with interest immediately. “What about after graduation?”
“Once you become a Disciple, I will continue to offer my wisdom and support for as long as our interests remain aligned. Normally, such an offer would be bound with a tether, but I have a feeling you would reject me if I set that as a condition.”
“You would be correct,” the Sparrow admitted. “This is more than sufficient.”
“Then seal the oath, Initiate.”
“I, Mercedes, Harbinger of Nyxus, offer my oath of alliance to Titan Astralindar.”
“And I, Titan Astralindar, Keeper of Mystical Knowledge, accept the oath of Nyxus’s Harbinger.”
The swirling green mist closed in around the albino, who flinched as a piercing pain jabbed its way through her left earlobe. She reached up quickly to grasp the dangling object as a new screen opened before her.
[Acquired! Astralindar’s Arcane Transceiver Earring]
This enchanted Epic earring is crafted of Mystilium ore. It allows the wearer to communicate through the Primal Protection Barrier, which protects the Arcane Realm. The earring serves as a conduit of Titan Astralindar’s power, granting it the authority to open communications with other beings outside the Arcane Realm. +3 VIT, +3 STA, +3 S.ENG, +2 INT, +2 WIS, and +3 RES.
[Notice! Congratulations on acquiring your first piece of Epic gear.]
‘No shit…’
[Quest Update: [Answer the Call of the Keeper of Mystical Knowledge] is Complete!]
Rewards obtained:
+10 Favor with all Titans of the Arcane Realm.
+25 Favor with Titan Astralindar.
+1 Favor with the Primordial Arcantheon.
Astralindar’s Arcane Transceiver Earring.
[Alert! The Primordial of the Arcane Realm is pleased with your cooperation.]
[Notice! You have obtained +1 Favor with Arcantheon, the Primordial Entity of Magic Essence, Ruler of the Arcane Realm, Purveyor of Mystical Knowledge, Keeper of the Arcane Secrets, and Protector of the bridge that connects each of the Thirteen Realms.]
‘They’re really rolling out the red carpet,’ Mercedes mused as she lowered her hand just before a new quest screen appeared.
[Quest Received: Special Admittance Scholarship Graduation]
Despite the unique challenges that lie before you, Titan Astralindar believes in your ability to overcome all future obstacles and graduate as one of Arcanum Mystic Academy’s finest students. Continue to strive in your scholarly endeavors to prove your future potential and earn your rightful place among the Thirteen Realms' sharpest minds and influential arcane ability.
Requirements:
Complete all necessary curriculums required to graduate.
Complete both defensive and offensive training.
Complete your Novice Evaluation Test.
Acquire Magic Discipline Selection Token x1
Complete the Tutorial Dungeon I in solo and group mode.
Obtain the Token of a Master x3
Obtain Normal Dungeon Token x3
Obtain Ranked Arena Token II x3
Acquire and learn Combat based Spells x6
Obtain Graduation Diploma x1
‘Geeze… Is that all?’
Reward:
Titan Astralindar will safely remove the magic barrier placed on the Initiate’s mind.
+15 Favor with Titan Astralindar.
+10 Favor with the Primordial Arcantheon.
Acceptance Reward: Mystic Spectacles of Arcane Alignment.
‘Wait… I get a reward just for accepting? That’s new—and slightly suspicious.’
Despite her misgivings, the Sparrow couldn’t help but reason that this was the most beneficial path forward to help ensure her mission's success. After clicking [Accept], she was rewarded with a pair of crystal pink glasses, similar to the ones Professor Nicodemus wore, which dropped neatly into her open hand.
[Acquired! Etherium Mystic Insight Spectacles]
A remarkable pair of enchanted Epic spectacles forged from an enigmatic ore known as Etherium. These spectacles grant the wearer the mystical ability to read and understand all languages of the Mystic Realms in their written form. Additionally, the Etherium ore’s unique properties allow the spectacles to become non-corporeal or invisible at the wearer’s will, providing a discreet form of unparalleled insight into the secret knowledge of the Mystic Realms. +2 VIT, +3 STA, +2 S.ENG, +4 M.ENG, +3 INT, and +2 WIS.
‘Oh yeah.’ Mercedes slid the crystal pink glasses into place before confirming the prompt that offered the option to make them invisible. ‘Definitely the right choice.’