23rd Day of Raincrown, 1374
Ebonheim had always found beauty in simplicity, in the way the sunlight filtered through the leaves of the Eldergrove, in the rhythm of daily life in her town, and in the warmth of her people's devotion. But every time she stood at the precipice of the Sanctum of the Divine Mandala, she felt a different kind of awe—one born out of admiration for the majesty of the place's architecture and its grandiosity.
From the colossal archway above the entrance, carved out of a single piece of pure aether and adorned with elaborate symbols representing the cosmos and their constituent stars...to the massive walls and spires, reaching upward toward the infinite sky beyond—each decorated with ornate designs depicting celestial phenomena.
Even the floors—their polished surfaces smooth and shiny like mirrors—held intricate patterns etched on them; one might think they were gazing at a starry night instead of standing on solid ground.
But most impressive of all, to Ebonheim at least, was the way in which everything connected to one another. Whether by purposeful intent or chance...the symmetry inherent to the Sanctum's construction created a kind of harmony amongst all its elements. It reminded her of the way a forest grows organically according to each plant's natural inclinations while at the same time harmonizing with the landscape around it.
She could stare at it for days without tiring of its splendor.
As she stepped foot into the Sanctum today, however, she paused midstride to admire the sight before her.
The interior had changed significantly since she last visited. There weren't rows upon rows of large pillars and marble stairs leading to higher platforms anymore. Instead...she now gazed at a wide circular space filled with towering columns and floating platforms connecting them. Around each platform hung translucent veils shimmering faintly with an ethereal glow, obscuring what lay behind them.
Some areas had small pavilions hanging suspended in midair nearby for more intimate gatherings. Everything appeared larger and more vast than before.
She walked across the gleaming tiles to where Aetheron's imposing silhouette loomed beside one such veil. He waited with arms crossed and a blank expression while observing the rest of the assembly present.
By now, Ebonheim was used to the colors radiating from him—his light green hue signaling his desire to stay composed and collected. But she couldn't help but marvel at its intensity today.
His eyes, twin stars within the void of his semi-ethereal face, flickered with thought as he gestured with his slender hand. An image appeared above his palm—a diagram of the celestial hierarchy, each god represented by a glowing sigil.
Next to him, Ariastra floated languidly nearby, lounging against a pillar with her limbs splayed out loosely, forming a kind of indolent yet graceful posture.
Aetheron's gaze shifted towards her as she approached.
"Greetings, Ebonheim." His melodious voice carried effortlessly throughout the chamber without echoing. "We haven't spoken in quite a while. Are you well?" He uncrossed his arms and unfolded them toward her. His irises flashed a vibrant crimson.
A gesture to indicate affection...or friendliness. Probably. It was hard to tell sometimes. Ebonheim mirrored his action—raising both hands and extending her arms forward—and bowed her head politely. "Very well, thank you for asking. What about you? Keeping busy?"
She noticed Ariastra perk up and tilt her head towards the two of them as they conversed.
"Busier than I'd like...yet not nearly as busy as I should be. Your domain's prosperous, I assume?" His tone remained polite despite his bluntness.
"As always." Ebonheim shrugged. "You know how things are."
He nodded. "Good. May you continue enjoying your success indefinitely. But...now's not the time to discuss mundane happenings. Today's gathering is a little different than usual. The matter we shall tackle may prove dangerous...very much so. I take it that you understand what this entails?"
"Yes," Ebonheim replied. "Xellos informed me about this obstacle you uncovered."
He hummed in agreement. "It seems like his hunch that you would join us proved true. This bodes well for us."
So, Xellos had given him advance notice about her presence among them. Good to know. Although...something about that struck her odd.
Aetheron's gaze flitted towards the image hovering before them. "We are missing two participants still."
"Who's late?" Ariastra called out lazily. She pushed herself upright from her reclining position and floated closer to inspect the diagram. Her eyes narrowed briefly at the absence indicated by the two unlit glyphs on the chart. "Ahh...Nephri and Syntris. The former's never been particularly punctual. Though the latter's known to run overdue for meetings frequently."
As if on cue, Nephri appeared next to Aetheron. Her serpentine form materialized and curled around a nearby column. "Methinks thou hast summoned us for a quest of dire import."
Aetheron acknowledged her with a slight dip of his head. "Indeed. You may recall when I previously mentioned a potential breakthrough in our struggles."
"Vaguely," she answered flatly. "Something about traversing uncharted regions within the divine realm and unraveling secrets to reveal truths. Or summat close to that. Thou art fond of flowery speeches, and thy words often pass through my mind like whispers in wind. Pray forgive this one's failing attention span."
"I'll endeavor to simplify my sentences, then." Aetheron let out a quiet sigh before continuing. "We are planning to break through a seal guarding a hidden region in the realm. Inside its confines lie answers concerning our inability to ascend through the hierarchy."
"Hmm." Nephri slithered forward a little. "Dost thee truly believe this plan will succeed? What makes thee so certain?" She flicked her tail—causing ripples to spread outward along its length—as if to emphasize her skepticism.
"Let us wait till Syntris arrives so I only need to explain things once." His reply came curt and terse.
"Fair 'nough," Nephri agreed. She retreated back behind the pillar and disappeared from view once more.
Minutes passed in relative silence until a new arrival emerged—Syntris' armored form burst through one of the shimmering curtains surrounding the platform like a comet hurtling towards a celestial body. He skidded across the floor—coming to rest near them—and immediately hopped back onto his feet. His armor shimmered with metallic hues while his cloak billowed behind him like a cape.
"Finally!" he announced triumphantly. "Apologies for the delay, everyone. But I got caught up in a rather unfortunate altercation with a demon nest. They're usually easy enough to deal with normally...but there were quite a few of them this time."
He glanced at the others gathered. "Regardless, I presume Aetheron here has apprised all of you regarding what happened already?"
"Yea," Nephri whispered. "He said something about a barrier." She poked her head out and eyed him warily. "If thy intention was to impress us...'twas sorely lacking. Perhaps next time, thou wilt consider employing tactics less showy and more effective. If only for a change."
"Spoken like someone who prefers staying hidden and undetected," Syntris remarked. "For someone so timid...you're surprisingly critical."
"Timid? Timid?! Who hast spoken to me in such a way?!" she hissed indignantly. "Wretch! Fie on thee!!"
"That would be the last participant arriving," Aetheron spoke calmly and deliberately—breaking up the brewing conflict—as he motioned toward Ebonheim. "The last deity needed to make this endeavor a success. Ebonheim."
"Huh. What a surprise to see you participating in something so bold." Syntris loomed over her in one quick stride, leaning in closely to study her face.
Ebonheim winced but remained resolute and unmoved despite Syntris' sudden proximity. His visage—complete with two glowing eyes peering out from within the darkness beneath his helm—exuded a sense of overwhelming power and danger, yet she sensed no hostility in him.
A heavily armored shadow. That's what he resembled. Still, she couldn't help but feel unsettled by his bizarre form—nevertheless, she maintained her composure and smiled politely back at him. "Hi, Syntris. It's a pleasure to see you again."
She extended her hands towards him, and he shook them firmly in response.
"Likewise. It's nice to catch up after so long. So...what's got you interested in this venture? Something tells me your involvement isn't entirely due to curiosity alone." He let go and folded his arms across his chest.
"True. Xellos told me about this situation with the barrier. He figured I could lend my aid."
"Xellos?" Syntris let out a hollow laugh. "That wanderer? I warned you to keep your distance from that loser of a god. I bet he's still begging for followers wherever he goes. Honestly...why he continues to wander without acquiring followers or establishing himself anywhere remains an enigma to me."
Ebonheim frowned at his disparaging remark. "He's not that bad, actually. We've become good friends over time. He actually managed to establish a domain and gain worshipers recently." She placed her hands on her hips, straightening her back while fixing him with a stern glare. "He's not the same Xellos you first met."
Syntris scoffed at her protestations. "That guy always rubs me wrong. There's just something off about him...like he hides something behind his affable demeanor. And speaking of...where's he now? Why isn't he helping us out here instead?"
Aetheron raised his hand—silencing them before they could descend into an argument again. "This conversation is taking longer than necessary. Let us commence with our objective and speak later."
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He lifted a hand and formed another image floating above it. The figure depicted a huge sphere encompassed by numerous rings. A swirling vortex appeared between the outer surface and innermost shell of the object. It rotated slowly upon itself as they watched.
"So, this is our target, hmm?" Syntris muttered. "Can you explain how we'll manage this feat? I'm guessing you devised some plan beforehand."
"We proceed toward the gateway embedded at the center of the sphere. A barrier defends its access point, which we must destroy if we intend to progress deeper into the realm beyond," Aetheron explained in an even monotone.
Nephri slithered closer to the image. "Hmm. Hmmm. How peculiar...thou callest this a barrier? Pardon this one's bluntness...however, I fail to fathom why such measures should exist. Methinks someone built these defenses deliberately to conceal something important within."
"Correct. Although precisely what remains uncertain—though considering its location, it surely must hold importance." He glanced at them before continuing. "Once through the shielded passageway, we shall reach an unknown territory past the boundaries of this realm. No doubt more difficulties will impede our path thereafter."
Ebonheim examined the model as it rotated slowly in front of them. The rotating orbits and inner workings mesmerized her. Yet...there was something off about the image. She couldn't quite pinpoint what bothered her exactly. But something nagged at the back of her mind.
Was the shape itself unnatural somehow? Or perhaps the placement of the rings...? She couldn't tell for sure. The notion left her dissatisfied and irritated.
Regardless, this task sounded potentially perilous. While she'd overcome trials before...she'd done so on her own turf with her powers and luck bolstering her success. Now, she faced an unknown danger alongside four deities with vastly differing abilities and strengths. The weakest one was most likely her.
Fortunately, she had ample time to prepare beforehand. Evelyne's guild had managed to restore Cepheid back to its original working state. She should be fine using the ancient Aetherframe for combat purposes...given how well-armored and powerful Cepheid had proved during its previous battle with Liselotte. It's now stored in her divine vault of artifacts—ready and waiting for whenever she wished to utilize it.
Aetheron waved his hand and dissipated the illusion. "Any questions?"
No one spoke up.
"Then let us proceed."
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The gateway loomed before Ebonheim like a promise shrouded in mist, flickering as she approached. Its surface glittered faintly in the light. Beyond the threshold...lay a dark abyss dotted by tiny sparks of light. Some lights shone brighter than others and swirled around each other—creating colorful patterns that danced across its expanse.
Concentric rings of glowing runes encircled the entrance, casting a faint glow throughout the surrounding space. Each symbol pulsated with energy and seemed to emit a soft whine as they neared. The symbols appeared vaguely familiar...as though she had seen them somewhere before.
Yes—she has seen them before.
Similar runes had appeared when she piloted Cepheid and were present on the constructs that imprisoned Kelzryn. This runic language seemed to belong to the same source.
She glanced at Aetheron, who stood beside her, his form ethereal and calm as always, the light from the barrier reflecting in his semi-translucent robes and causing them to shimmer.
"Is this the barrier?" Ebonheim asked, studying the script more closely. They appeared almost alive...almost breathing. If she focused enough on one, she could perceive tiny shapes moving within their depths. Like bubbles rising through molasses.
Aetheron nodded wordlessly. He stretched a hand outward, and a ripple appeared above his fingertips—flowing towards the script like a wave upon a still pond. As his power made contact with the inscriptions, the runes flared brightly before returning to their original luminosity.
"Hmmm," he mused aloud. "Interesting. I suspected they would respond negatively to divine intrusion..." He withdrew his arm and lowered it. The light dimmed once again.
"Do you recognize this writing?" Ebonheim asked.
He shook his head. "No. Its origin remains obscure."
Strange. Was she the only one familiar with it?
She looked at the other deities assembled. Nephri floated above them, swaying back and forth gently in a nonchalant manner. Syntris stood several paces away from Ebonheim with his arms crossed. Ariastra hung back idly, pacing the perimeter. None showed any recognition of what they saw. None except her.
Aetheron moved closer. "It reacts to divine energy. But more than that—it distorts it. If I tried harder to force a reaction, I suspect the outcome would have proven cataclysmic for all involved."
"I thought you've already come up with a strategy to deal with this," Syntris complained. "Don't tell me you dragged us here only to find out that this whole trip was pointless."
"I have. However..." Aetheron pointed towards the middle circle nearest where he stood. "The runes seem to operate independently from each other. Only this particular ring responds differently than the rest. Therefore, this should prove crucial for our approach."
"So?" Nephri drawled. "What does that mean? Speak plainly for those not versed in abjuration like ourselves."
"This ring is the weakest link," Aetheron answered simply. "It appears to lack the other rings' defenses. Conversely...it might function as a warning system to alert the other barriers in case of tampering."
"How do you plan to tackle this conundrum then?" Syntris asked. "If you're suggesting breaking through the weakest one first...we risk setting off the alarms and losing access to the rest."
Aetheron cocked his head towards him. "I considered that possibility as well. However, I believe we can safely disable each one in succession if done carefully. Fortunately, I've encountered similar enchantments in the past and have devised methods to bypass them."
"Hmmm...and pray tell...what method doth thou intend to utilize?" Nephri inquired. She drifted closer until she hovered above the centermost circle. "Tis no simple task dismantling complex bindings like these."
Ariastra wandered over to watch as well. "In other words...you can't guarantee this method to work."
"Not with complete certainty." Aetheron held out his hand again, pointing his index finger directly at the target rune. "However, I stand confident enough in my knowledge to attempt this endeavor."
"Oh dear..." Ariastra sighed dramatically. "Are you absolutely positive about this? You won't leave us with any regrets? Because if something happens, I refuse to assume responsibility for the aftermath."
"Well...aren't you overly cautious." Aetheron glanced back at her. "Fear not—for I have done extensive research on this subject prior to summoning you. Furthermore...this scenario reminds me of a riddle I came across long ago. My confidence stems from personal experience rather than blind faith in theories alone."
"Hah!" Syntris scoffed incredulously. "Sounds like wishful thinking more than anything. What sort of nonsense did you stumble into that relates to this instance?"
"A labyrinth once guarded by similar enchantments designed to deter intruders," Aetheron explained matter-of-factly. "It took me several tries to figure out the puzzle, but after solving its trials successfully, it yielded valuable spoils." He paused briefly before adding, "Although...I admit I stumbled upon the answer by sheer luck initially."
Ebonheim listened quietly while the conversation went back and forth. She turned her gaze back towards the intricate sigils and studied their configuration more intently.
Seven concentric rings of runic scripts surrounded the gateway—each one containing dozens of individual markings—while another band encircled everything in the middle, forming the outer shell. All together, the intricate designs reminded her of the spokes and gears of a clock's mechanism. But instead of mechanisms keeping time, these symbols served as anchors to this space.
At least that's her best guess. She understood most of what the runes signified, at least based on what her instincts told her.
As for their intended function...she had no idea. Still...something tugged at the edge of her mind as she observed them. Like a memory just beyond recall. A whisper teasing the tip of her consciousness without revealing its full contents. Try as she might to grasp at them...nothing solid surfaced. No epiphany occurred. Whatever caused them to stir remained elusive still.
"So, Ebonheim. What say you? Does Aetheron's plan merit consideration?" Ariastra broke her concentration with the question.
All eyes fell on her.
If she told them that she recognized the runes, would they suspect her of having something to do with the barrier's creation? Would Aetheron start asking questions? Or worse...demand answers? It's not like she could explain what she knew even if she wanted to. The last thing she needed right now was to invite scrutiny onto herself.
She doubted she could fool Aetheron either. If she told him she wasn't involved, he'd press further. Which would eventually lead him discovering her privileged status.
"Um..." She cleared her throat nervously. "It seems worth a try. What harm could it do, really?"
Aetheron tilted his head and regarded her for a moment. Then he returned his attention to the ring in front of him. "Very well. Here goes nothing, as mortals would put it."
He tapped on one of the runes of the middle circle. Its luminosity brightened and emitted a faint humming noise.
"The first step requires identifying the keystone marking that initiates the sequence. Afterward, we activate a second rune nearby—and so forth until the correct number of keys in this ring have responded to our touch."
"And how would you know the correct number?" Syntris challenged.
Aetheron ignored the inquiry and continued his explanation instead. "Once that part finishes, we repeat this procedure throughout the rest of the circles until the final seal breaks apart. If everything works correctly...the barrier should disperse."
"If there's no way to tell how many keys must be activated...doesn't that defeat the purpose of doing so?" Nephri protested. "Why bother wasting effort attempting something if thou cannot determine success?"
"Because, as I mentioned earlier...I've managed to solve a similar obstacle previously. Experience gives me hope," Aetheron reassured. "Even if I don't understand what these runes symbolize, I can mathematically deduce the combinations required by the layout's design alone. This particular pattern follows a very specific set of rules dictating its functionality."
He touched another rune. Again, it glowed brighter than the rest and produced the same humming sound. Then he tapped on yet another one.
This time, however, the symbol in question didn't respond as expected. Instead, its glow faded quickly before returning to its original state. The two activated runes dimmed simultaneously afterward.
Silence permeated the area after he withdrew his hand.
All eyes fixed upon Aetheron, who stood motionless for a short period.
He blinked slowly several times, tapping his chin thoughtfully with a slender finger. Eventually, he lifted his head. "It appears my guess was incorrect."
"Are you kidding?!" Syntris snapped. "That's your entire strategy? Guessing randomly until one finally hits the jackpot?!"
Aetheron shrugged casually in response. "My apologies. I admit I made a miscalculation somewhere along the way. Nevertheless, the fault lies solely upon me...not the process itself."
He shifted his attention from him to the gate before continuing. "If I make an educated conjecture regarding the correct combination based on available information...and fail to achieve results on my first attempt...then I conclude that there's something missing from my equation. Which means...I require further data. Or else, I won't discover the solution."
"Which would entail restarting everything from the beginning every time you fail," Syntris growled under his breath. "And who knows how long that will take?" He threw his hands into the air in exasperation. "Honestly! I should've stayed home and dealt with demons instead...at least that would've been useful!"
"Calm thyself." Nephri chided softly. "Tis unbefitting of a god to lose control of thy temper in public. Especially toward allies during critical situations."
Syntris rounded upon her, his tone growing sharper. "You stay out of this! You haven't even participated in this discussion aside from throwing out complaints! It's about time you stop criticizing my methods and learn to contribute something to this venture!" He jabbed a finger toward Ebonheim. "Or how about you ask our newest member here? She's been quiet ever since arriving. Maybe you can pry some words from her tongue!"
Ebonheim bit her lip.
She shouldn't intervene...yet the desire to speak her mind grew stronger with every passing minute—until finally, she blurted out, "Perhaps...instead of randomly touching symbols without rhyme or reason...we should examine the runes further and analyze them. Maybe we can discover the common elements among each one. That might shed light on this dilemma."
Everyone stopped talking and turned to stare at her instead.
"A wise suggestion. It merits consideration indeed," Ariastra commented. "Do enlighten us, please. What did you see?"