“Without Dreams, there is no beginning.”

“Without Talent, there is no passion.”

“Without Effort, there is no success.”

#2 Quote of the Book of Races and Species

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Li’On Domain - Pa’Li - The Wise of the Twin Suns

“Pa’Li, It won't matter if you're an Ascended one. You are making a mistake here.” A familiar old voice addressed Pa’Li.

In response, Pa’Li’s Hybrid Ascended Form turned to face the old Li’On in question, not bothering the guards surrounding him.

He knew they would not attack without the Head Oracles' order.

The moment their eyes met, the Old Li’On spoke again. “Your sympathy for the White Streak Fury has already caused me to lose one. That's fine, there are still others I can find to replace it, but your continued behavior will not be tolerated. No matter your current status.”

Pa’Li stayed silent for a moment. He observed the gold-threaded ceremonial-like robes the Head Oracle wore alongside a scepter made out of the Purest Divine Gold.

It sported Runic carvings that made it that much special.

Despite typically being used for ceremonies, both were actually masterpieces of craftsmanship for the simple reason that they were one of the best Spell Amplifiers in the whole Li’On Pantheon.

And there, Pa’Li knew, laid the crux of everything that went on in this moment.

Those that followed the Priestly Path forgo Creation or Destruction and embraced Spell Craft.

Being at the top of the Temple qualified the Head Oracle as the best Spell Spell Craft user, and Pa’Li knew he stood no chance against him if the Guards kept delaying and tiring him, as they had done previously.

“Hmph!” Echoed the prideful sneer of the Ascended Li’On. His deep growling voice gave the answer. “My status is irrelevant to my actions. But I will endeavor to use it against what you are attempting, and we both know what that is.”

“Young Ascended, all I am doing is making use of a resource for the betterment of the Li’On.”

The Old Head Oracle replied. “The Council of the Ascended will agree with me for the simple reason that the alternative is not in favor of Li’On.”

“They may agree with making use of them, but they will still kick your senile mind for trying to monopolize the resource for your own ‘Invigoration’.” Pa’Li replied, sneering with contempt at the old Li’On and his actions. “How many were sacrificed for that bit of vigor you exhibit now in your Senile mind? How many of the cubs could have reached the second and third Ascension if not for your actions?”

The Hybrid Primal Li’On form growled with disgust once more as a declaration got announced.

“Your days were numbered the moment I saw you exhibiting vigor upon my return, Old man.” Pa’Li reasoned.

“Haha!” Laughter rang out of the Old Head Oracle.

“Excellent misdirection there, Young Ascended.” The Old Li’On commented. “You’ll make it big in the Council under normal circumstances. But you are still too young to play the game of Politics. Still, while I commend you on the attempt, sadly, it won't work in this case.”

Shaking his head, the Old Head Oracle explained himself. “There is more involved than just my own involvement. There always is when Politics are involved. However, I am most curious about your current actions at retrieving the White Streak Fury. Let this Old Senile Li’On wonder, for a moment, why a Young Ascended like you would sneak into the Temple and attempt what you attempted.”

“If you had sought recognition by the Council, all you had to do was Demand a Quorum be appointed. It is your right as an Ascended, and explain everything to expose me. But that is now what you did, is it?” Smiling, the Old Li’On reasoned. “No. Instead, you snuck inside the Temple. And while I commend your skills, as it was without a doubt Showing of Skill to do so in the Temple of all places, I refuse to believe that you'd do so on pure altruistic reasoning. No, you have longer-lasting reasons for your actions.”

Like a lightning bolt, a shiver ran down Pa’Li’s spine as he heard the Old Li’On.

“Hohoho. It seems like I am right.” Seeing Pa’Li’s expressive face, despite the big Li’On head he had on his shoulder in his Ascended Form, the Old Li’On laughed for a moment.

“Pa’Li, you're underestimating the Senile mind of This Old Man.” The old voice replied, but this time, it carried that old grandpa's feeling of educating the young. “You thought I would not notice it?”

Instantly, a bit of regret emanated from Pa’Li. Yet, even when the Old Li’On in his ceremonial robes boasted he had figured out the mind of the Young Ascended, in truth, he had no idea what the cause of the regret was that Pa’Li exhibited for a moment.

“Pa’Li, there is a reason I sent you for that assignment.” The Old Li’On said. “Your intellectual drive would not give up until it solved what intrigued it. In your book, you mentioned you knew not of the possible effect of the Forging phase of the White Flame, but I refuse to believe a Mind like yours would not have ideas.”

Enacting fortitude upon his external behavior, Pa’Li steeled his will as the regret came not from the fact that this Old Li’On had inferred his thoughts inside the book he gave him. If it happened, it happened. After all, he was not the only savvy individual in the Li’On Domain.

In fact, it is kind of expected to happen after enough people have browsed the findings in the book.

“I am reasonably sure that your current actions were motivated by your intellectual drive.” The Old Li’On extrapolated with his mind. “You snuck inside the Temple in order to free them and return them to the Wild Zone, in favor of letting them struggle for the 3ed step of Ascension. Your mind saw something. And deep inside, you desire to see the Forging Phase of the White Flame, but your true curiosity is what comes after it. Is it not?”

Neither did the regret come from the fact he had snuck inside the Temple. Which was Holy to the Li’On, for the most part.

No, he cared not for that fact at all. Especially not since sneaking in was very easy for him after the few natural epiphanies he had attained after analyzing the White Flame.

Neither was it the fact his attempt got seen through or having it foiled.

No, his regret came from the fact that he had broken one of his core precepts. Precepts that he had promised to keep without mentioning what they were to his younger brother.

He made them after their visit home from the first Mission they technically accomplished but ultimately failed.

The core precept was that as the Intellectual of the two brothers, he would always keep his cool and reason out the best outcome of any situation while at the same time being the anchor for his younger brother's emotional self.

Pa’Li shook his head. He cared not if the Head Oracle misinterpreted it. He knew his regret stemmed from the fact that a simple scouting mission had turned into a slugfest because he took pity on the White Streak Fury for one single moment.

At that moment, he had found them hidden deep inside the Temple. At that moment, when he saw one particular Individual torture the male White Streak Fury, his body moved on its own, without any input from his mind.

Only after the Individual turned to ashes did he come to himself and realize what he had done, and by that point, there was only one option forward.

Pa’Li closed the distance to the Cage of the male specimen and attempted to remove the Brand placed upon it. Only in return to place his own so the creature would follow his instructions.

The plan was to make it docile because that was all it could do to the creature, as the moment it manifested the White Flame, he would lose control over it.

Hence, making it docile, but the moment he began removing the Brand, a realization came to him.

The Brand, The Head Oracle had placed upon the creatures was like nothing he had ever seen before, at least in terms of precision and complexity.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Hed heard rumors that a more assertive version of the Brand existed but had yet to see one before making contact with this one.

And there lay the problem.

His attempt at removing it manifested a failsafe. A failsafe that no doubt informed the Head Oracle. A failsafe that began causing unimaginable pain to the creature.

Pa’Li instantly lost all control of the situation and the creature, as everything went downhill from that point on.

The creature began trashing against the Cage holding it, and Guards would come at any moment. In an inspiration, he released it from the Cage, and with one last push of the Brand, he had it face the incoming Guards as a delaying tactic while he attempted to scatter away.

Yet, even that got foiled, as the chamber in which he found himself, revealed itself to be heavily fortified by Runic Formation that activated a few seconds after the Guards appeared.

Moments later, the Head Oracle manifested right at the only entrance of this hidden Chamber.

With a suspension to re-think everything, Pa’Li shook his Li’On head and wondered what had come over him.

The pity he felt in that one moment should not have overwhelmed him as it did. It simply was unlike him to go for such rash actions, yet it happened, and he knew not why.

With the Head Oracle blocking the exit and the Guards killing the berserk creature, his battle ensued, yet, only taking the Hybrid form of the 4th Stage of Ascension prevented them from outright capturing him.

In truth, there was still a way out for him, as he had so far denied the option, as far too damaging to the Temple if employed.

But now it looked like he would have no choice but to employ it.

“You're right. I am curious about it.” Pa’Li answered with an admission. “However, you are the one that stands to lose the most out of this because the fact is, you wasted enormous resources for your own benefit. Your days are numbered, no matter the outcome. Instead, how about a Deal where both of us profit from this?”

“Ho, on your last dregs? Are you?” The Head Oracle imagined, but he was neither young nor stupid to believe that Pa’Li, had no contingencies. Especially in the form of an emotional younger brother. “Still, I am curious what kind of Deal you are thinking of?”

“Your days as the Head of the Oracles are numbered.” Pa’Li explained. “I will keep shut about all this and leave the Reputation of the Temple intact. On the other hand, you will retire due to old age, which you should have done long ago. And you will return the female specimens to the Wild Zone, so their natural Ascension continues. How about it?”

“All benefits for you and none for me?”

“Your own fault for sticking around for so long.” Pa’Li retorted in return.

A silence ensued for a few moments before the Old Li’On smiled.

Pa’Li didn't like it, but he tried his best to hide it.

“There is a reason I stuck around for so long.” The Head Oracle commented on his actions. ”Successor material is hard to come by, and while I have one in mind, I know one raw piece that would fit perfectly for the role. I can do all that. Even take the blame for those behind the scene on the condition that you become my Successor.”

Pa’Li’s mouth gaped open a few times, yet no words came out. Only the huge white overlapping canines showed themselves before a denial manifested.

“I refuse. There is a reason I stay away from Oracles of all kinds.” Pa’Li replied with an aggravated tone, but then he remembered where he currently found himself.

“At least, that is what I try.”

Hearing the stern reply, the Old Li’On sighed. “Stop letting your past affect you. You're perfect for the role. You have the raw Intellect and the control to master the SpellCraft, even if you're only starting now. And you're already involved with Oracles. In fact, a millennia ago, after I sent you brothers after the Scourge, I had already considered taking you as a disciple candidate. Now, with me as your teacher, you might even have the chance to strive for the fabled 5th Stage of Ascension.”

The more he heard, the more Pa’Li felt something creep up his spine.

Shivers he knew well, and while he felt it, at this moment, it got eclipsed by the sensation that one single realization manifested inside his mind.

Could all this be a hoax to lure me? Hysterically mortified, Pa’Li’s mind concluded. A millennia-long plan just for me to become an Oracle? No, I refuse to believe that. There is no way that is the truth.

Steadfast in his desire to deny it, Pa’Li calmed down swiftly, but his mind continued thinking about it.

It might not be a millennia-long plan, but it does not mean the priest had not planned for an occasion like now. It would explain why I reacted the way I did earlier. He probably used some Spell to corner me into this exact situation.

“No.” Pa’Li denied, once more, only with far more conviction.

“I see.” The Old Li’On sighed once more. “I guess we are back to square one of our problems. I am going to have to insist you stay a while. That way, you can consider my proposal once more as we both stand to benefit from it.”

With that said, the Old Li’On began to glow golden before his form enlarged. His frail physique doubled in size. In fact, it towered slightly over Pa’Li.

Now both sported Li’On heads. One was young and golden, while the other one looked old and experienced.

The Head Oracle even sported a few scars below his robes, but few knew about those.

The next moment, his Runed Golden Scepter, which looks far closer to a mace, with the big size his right hand became and enveloped the Scepter, as his physique reached at least 2.5 meters in height.

Moments after his transformation, his scepter began to glow. The strongest light emitted came from its scepter head which sported a Li’On head design.

Seeing the Head Oracle transform, Pa’Li extended his hand, and from a Golden Flame emerged a small tablet which he promptly squeezed into crumbles.

The Old Li’On just shook his head at it. He had a feeling he knew what it represented.

“Pa’Li, let me tell you a secret.” The Head Oracle said. “ Every Head Oracle was Destined to become an Oracle, one way or another. And you, Young Ascended, are the Prime Candidate at the moment. It is no coincidence that your Fate got entwined with the White Streak Fury. The same concerns your brother.”

“I refuse to believe that. My Destiny is what I chose it to be. And not you or anybody else.” Pa’Li once more declared with firm conviction.

“Haha.” The Head Oracle laughed loudly. His pearly canines showed as he did. “You can deny it, or you can accept it. Ultimately, you brothers will be the center of the confluence of Fate between Li’On and the White Streak Fury. It will be up to you to decide if the White Streak Fury species prospers at the consequences of Li’On or perishes for the benefit of Li’On. All I was doing was to create the best possible environment on which to ride the incoming Fate.”

With everything said and prepared, both participants stared at each other.

Yet, both were unaware that a third party was observing the event in question.

In fact, all this time, this third party had been observing everything as much as possible.

It thought about everything as much as possible.

It covered every avenue it could think of, and ultimately it came to one simple decision as it smiled hidden inside its Realm.

It began to pour its Power into the female creature it was connected to while whispering its Intent.

In a moment, a White Flame appeared on the back of the creature. But before the Brand upon its body could wreak havoc, the White Flame that manifested received a huge injection of Power.

Like tinder receiving prime fuel material, it blazed in never before seen proportions.

In the same instant that the White Flame manifested and engulfed the creature, with the white fur on its back, it swallowed the Golden Brand like it was but a tiny snack.

Its delicate yet strong runic formation was no match for sheer quantity.

The instant it broke, the Head Oracle’s Li’On head snapped in the direction of the female White Streak Fury.

What he saw, he could not believe as it made no sense to him.

Pa’Li reacted slower but he too reached the same conclusion.

When the creature vanished in the White Flame, the Flame conflagration reached at least five meters in all directions but the floor they all stood on.

It was easy to understand that fact. as the Cage which kept the female captive was, in fact, a cube of five cubic meters in proportions, and it got fully enclosed in the White Flame.

What happened to it and the female was impossible to observe.

Yet, the strangest of them all was the laughter that reached their ears.

“Hahahahaha.”

It was both high-pitched and low-pitched, while at the same time, it conveyed a sneering effect to all who heard it.

The dichotomy of the sounds in their ears made it harder to identify what the sounds were trying to convey.

However, when the sound was chock full of Intent, their minds soon realized they understood the words. Still, while it unnerved them for a few moments, it wasn't something that unusual as Divine Speech functioned in a similar manner.

However, the words were a different factor.

“Hmph. The Dare to even think… You… had any input in the development of my… Chosen is an outrage.” Echoed from the White Flame.

In the next moment, the Flame began to change.

Both Pa’Li and the Head Oracle were stunned by everything happening.

They watched as the White Flame bulked up in certain places and stretched in others.

None of them said anything until the last piece of the White Flame found its place and one big White Streak Fury, well… a representation of one, manifested before them.

The Cage was no more when the White… Fury manifested? But Pa’Li’s expert eyes noticed a lot of dust on the ground. It gathered in a square that represented where the former Cage had been.

For a moment, his mind correlated the dust with ash, as that was the usual result of any Flame, but this time, his experience with the White Flame reminded him to take a better look.

With the superb vision in his current form, he noticed the dust was colored differently in a few places.

Instantly a possibility reached his thoughts, but it got sidetracked, in favor of understanding the following words.

“This Courting of Death shall be Reciprocated.”