Following consecutive flights of stairs, the group leisurely made their way to the top of the bastion. Several marble sculptures paved the environment on their way up. Heraldic figures that closely resembled the great recreations of the elemental warriors he'd seen underground. From the first to the fifth level what could be seen as very similar in terms of infrastructure, as if the architecture was standardized so that symmetry was eloquently respected. The corridors on each level led to double doors and beside them, a unique symbol could be seen.

Confusion drew Jin's eyes to Tristan's armor, looking for the coat of arms of House Loriat as means of comparison. But a sudden exchange of looks was enough to confirm that they were nothing alike.

Jin wanted to ask those walking up the stairs with him what those symbols were, but indecision held him back. When he came back to himself, he realized that his feet were no longer gaining altitude, the steps to climb had come to an end.

If Jin had to guess as to where they were going based on what he had seen so far of how this fortress worked, they were about to meet up with those who had sent them to Ferris. Being brutally honest with himself, after the showing against the Devourer—it was hard for him to believe that anyone in here was comparable to Vendrick in terms of raw power, especially after he'd seen what Vendrick was capable of. If for example, Sanctum were to be a human body, then he could assume they were about to speak with the highest hierarchy—the Council Of Sages—or as some would like to call it, the Keepers.

The Nine Keepers awaited them in a circular room, stained glass windows intricately revealed the arrangements in the floor carefully designed to last for centuries. Chandeliers hanging from the ceiling cast a shadow upon nine figures shrouded in gray cloaks that emanated power. Arranged in a semicircle of thrones, seven men and two women sat in posture until one of them gestured.

"Come forth and present thee." The one in the center ordered at last.

Vendrick promptly positioned himself in the center of the room in front of the nine and bent the knee in respect.

“Sentinel Vendrick, I see you made it back safely. On the subject of Ferris Village's request for assistance, you may tell us what happened.”

“My Keepers, our group managed to evacuate the villagers and gather enough information to discover that the danger had escalated much further than anyone could have expected. Fueled by pure hatred the abomination seized the opportunity to strike bystanders at sunset, when we were short on numbers and surrounded by darkness. After a couple unfortunate incidents, the beast fell under my dear brother's blade.”

“You take me for a fool boy, a Feral Beast would never be defeated by newly made Elemental Warriors, as your group lacked any Disciples and experience. You should give yourself some credit, you fought honorably against the Behemoth. As the strongest and leader of your group the merits of success as well as the failures are all stains that cannot be simply wiped away with time. As for the people you saved, they surely are thankful for all of you removing such a foul being from the world of the living. Let the truth be heard, and may The Nine guide your path."

"Thank you, High Elders."

"You may rise," snorted the old man in the middle of the nine. His skeletal appearance and the absence of one of his eyeballs was the most notable factor in a glance.

Just as Vendrick was withdrawing with his group, another silhouette gave voice. From how far away they sat, even now their identity was a mystery. Sitting side by side, most wearing beards long enough to hide their wrinkles. Even so, one of the nine seemed familiar. And the tone of voice confirmed Jin's suspicions. The one who proposed another subject was someone he'd heard the voice before. He was sure of it: right at the moment he arrived at Sanctum with his brother. Holder of the Second Seat and Keeper of Flame—that was Sage Orion.

"If that is all, consider the mission accomplished."

"Sentinel there is one more matter at hand that I must demand before you leave."

Vendrick stopped, his body froze in wait of what else would be asked of him. The elders had the ultimate authority in Sanctum. In terms of fighting strength, comparing a Sentinel with the Elders was to compare an ant to a lion. Before him were the nine who had climbed the highest steps in Sanctum. Each one the mortal representation and aspect of their elemental deity, carrying the authority and mantle of the gods themselves in their stead. In their younger years, formidable warriors who had harvested elemental energy and refined their own aura to gain knowledge and inner strength beyond anyone on the lower floors. Elemental Warrior, Disciple, Sentinel, Guardian, Lord. Even the weakest among them had conquered the Five Steps, earning their right to hold a seat. Their burden was heavy, their skills revered, but most importantly they were the pillar that held the faith of the elemental pantheon together and kept the wheel of ascendancy turning. The knowledge of the Nine was their most precious asset to the younger warriors. All had spent decades perfecting their techniques and honing their senses with dedication and unrivaled effort.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Suddenly the Holder of The Second Seat spoke up, “the nucleus of that girl is harmed, the vital aura is completely unstable. Do you know why that is, Sentinel?” Orion said, his gaze focused on Eliza.

To a Keeper of the Flame such as Orion who had broken through the Lord Step, the elemental aura flowing within someone was plain to see. Even clearer to the eyes were the disturbance and inconstant flickering when chaos had seemingly taken over.

“Eliza used an elemental technique, she was completely drained afterward. But I assure you, Keeper of Flame, she is getting better each day—”

Vendrick's voice faltered.

It had been a full-winter season since Vendrick had become a battle-proven Sentinel in the elemental way. But no matter how much he advanced beyond an Elemental Warrior, he could not forget his humble origins and past weaknesses. The consequences of elemental techniques carried forward at the first stage was a rather serious concern. He could not predict that a Behemoth of that magnitude would appear in such a lowly ranked mission, yet he would be judged nonetheless. As the highest ranked man amongst the group, he was responsible to Eliza just as much as any of the villagers in Ferris.

The Keeper of Earth—Sage Malachiel—stood up from his chair and spoke for all the nine Sages at last. As customary from the Holder of the First Seat and most outspoken Sage of all.

“Have you no sense of responsibility? To lead these newborn warriors into battle with little to no guidance in the elemental arts is foolish! Like sheep released into a jungle of wolves! They were under your protection, under your care because of your choice. You could have picked any Disciples to go on this mission with you, yet you chose this bunch, an Ambassador of Belkor Theocracy included. Do you have any idea how ill she turns to be? Had you not arrived in Sanctum this week, you would have given an entire nation a valid reason to take up arms. We cannot let this lack of virtue go unpunished.”

Those sharp words cut the air like a knife sliding through butter. To Vendrick, however, a punishment didn't seem justified in view of the outcome of the battle. After all, as soon as he'd taken up arms the Devourer had perished.

“High Elder Malachiel, I assure you that I intervened as fast as I co—”

“Your sense of judgment has been hindered by your emotions. I deem you forbidden to take your brother on missions. Furthermore, you cannot be leading an unexperienced group until you think about your actions and advance to Guardian. You are sentenced to gathering duty with the Disciples until further notice. Leave at once,” Sage Malachiel roared like thunder.

"As you command, High Elders." He bowed once more.

Malachiel was known to be one of the roughest sages, but Vendrick hoped that at least Orion would vouch for him given their friendly relationship. But it seemed that the charismatic attitude lost strength whenever he was in the presence of the other Sages who were his equivalent in status. Perhaps because he too, in silence agreed with the decision the group had determined.

Vendrick bent so far that his forehead almost touched the ground in front of them. He bowed not out of shame, but out of wisdom. He wanted to explain his thought process during the mission that led to this, but for the Sages, there was no reason to listen more than they needed to a lowly Sentinel. Especially to the unfortunate ones who did not carry a House Name to wield in their victories. And that had been taken from him. To persevere, influence was just as important as strength, and that is why Vendrick loathed politics.

Jin couldn't see Vendrick's face, but maybe that would be better. Jin personally had never seen his older brother criticized in such a way, not even by Lord Alaric. The fact that he was witnessing such rigorous treatment coming from these old men who didn't know his brother twisted him inside.

In a sudden impulse of indignation, Jin stood up and turned to the High Elders.

“This is so fucking stupid… Why is my brother being punished for doing the right thing? Who are you all for judging him? I was there, my brother arrived when we were cornered and bested the Devourer saving everyone and the whole village. Anyone present that day could say the same.”

He looked around at Tristan and Viktoria trying to find moral support. He knew very well that his companions were good people and that they would not be quiet in the face of injustice. He certainly couldn't be the only one who thought that way, after all, Vendrick had had everyone's back since the beginning of their journey to Ferris. But no matter which of his teammates he looked at, they all refused to look Jin straight in the eye. It was almost as if they had come to a consensus behind his back. After so many days of eating together in the field around the campfire like companions, it was impossible that they would stab him in the back with such subtle means.

it should have been impossible. But there it was, and it had been there all along.

The reality check didn't come from the arrogant elders who lavished harsh critics on his brother, no, it came closer than he'd imagined.

Jin's heart skipped a beat as he looked more carefully. The girl's vivid blue eyes had lost the sparkle that had captivated him during the ritual in the Hall of Trial. Something had been removed from her, and he totally refused to notice it all this time. He was being an idiot. The silky soft hair she had had a completely different look, it was as if it had aged for years in just a week.

In days, it was as if a decade had gone past.

Somehow, he hadn't realized all this time how sick the girl looked. And if it weren't for the Sages' acumen to expose the issue, he'd probably never realize how bad she'd been until it was too late.

And to this, he lacked awareness.

For not even he had noticed if not for the tears that slid down her fragile face.