[The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.] — Albert Camus
The siblings looked at Azar with amazed expressions. No one could understand how he could return to life after so much time, but no one felt comfortable enough to ask him that.
"Please, let's continue forward," Azar said. "I have more questions for you, but I am also curious to see the world with my own eyes."
Kaira nodded and resumed walking on the narrow path, Faira following right after, holding her hand.
"There aren't any cities near this place, right? In my time, there were many, all under the government of Tora," Azar said.
"There's none in the vicinity, no. There's a trading route that passes nearby, but other than that, only dunes as far as the eye can see," Khaleb confirmed.
"Was your clan big, like the five ancient clans?" Faira asked.
"I assume, you're referring to the Five Great Clans. Yes, Tora was one of the Sixth Great Clans. Back in my time, Tora ruled more then half of the inhabited desert. The other part was divided between a kingdom, a notorious sect, and three clans," Azar replied. "What are the current major powers in Dalighary?"
"Two kingdoms, three clans, two sects, and the free region we're currently in, which is mostly inhabited by tribes," Khaleb replied.
"And among the tribes, where is your Mirha tribe situated? Near the top, near the bottom, in the middle?" Azar asked.
"Middle, I guess. We don't have a ranking system between the tribes, and everyone keeps secrets, so it's really hard to determine the exact position of a tribe," Kaira said.
"And what's your tribe's specialty? Are you farmers, oasis keepers, warriors?"
"Traders," Khaleb replied. "Herders. We have an oasis in our territory, so we don't have to move the tribe around."
"I see, good for you," Azar said, squeezing between a narrow part of the stone walls. "What about those who attacked you? What are they specialized in?"
"The Calabi? They are mercenaries, trained hunters. Some of them are thieves," Khaleb replied.
"And why would they attack you?" Azar asked, not finding the real reason in Numdul's memories.
"I don't know. They might want to rob us, or perhaps someone hired them to kill my father," Khaleb replied, a little annoyed.
"I see the exit," Kaira said, gathering everyone's attention.
The group kept quiet from that point forward to avoid alerting any people who might be waiting for them outside. But Hamsha the Old was already aware of their presence. Through his mind's eye, Azar could see how the two people under Hamsha's command were prepared to take prisoners as soon as the siblings stepped out of the crevice.
"Don't go any further, they're waiting for us," Azar whispered, and the siblings halted their advance.
"We have to change the order. Let's go back and let me take the lead," Khaleb said in the same manner, thinking that a change in positions was the only way out. And he wasn't entirely wrong.
"I'm not going to walk back," Azar said. "Can you climb the wall and get to the front?" he asked Araumir. He judged the crevice to be sufficiently wide for the him to do that.
After inspecting the space above, Araumir replied, "I don't see any inconvenience."
Without waiting for a confirmation, he carefully climbed the uneven stone wall, using the power of his fingers to create a solid grip where there was none. Continuing with this method, in a matter of seconds, Araumir traveled like a spider above the siblings' heads and arrived at the front, leading the way out without fear.
Khaleb exchanged glances with Azar as a silent agreement, and the latter nodded in acceptance. However, Hamsha sensed the strange change in the lineup, and because he wasn't able to feel Araumir's presence, only his movement, he became anxious about the unknown. With a gesture, he recalled his people, preparing to retreat in a hurry.
In the dark world behind his eyelids, Azar saw the bluish, transparent forms of the people outside. He saw how they prepared to take all the horses with them and knew he couldn't let that happen. Receiving his mental command, Araumir dashed out of the stone fissure to kill the two henchmen and seize control over the leader and horses.
"Did something happen?" Khaleb asked, seeing Araumir's sudden movement.
"They tried to run away and take the horses with them," Azar explained.
"Didn't you say they were waiting for us?" Khaleb asked, disoriented by Azar's words.
"They were, but changed plans after we changed formation," Azar explained. "I'm certain there's an experienced sensory type outside."
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Coming out of the crevice, the searing heat of the desert forced the siblings to cover their faces with their keffiyehs*, allowing only a small gap for their eyes to see. Initially, Azar hadn't any, but he took a white-blue one from his storage ring. The brightness of the sun forcing his sensitive eyes to hide behind lowered eyelids.
Seeing Hamsha forced to his knees by Araumir, Khaleb couldn't hold back his anger and walked with his unsheathed dagger toward him. Only he knew if he just wanted to interrogate the man or to simply kill him, but Azar couldn't risk it.
"Do not injure him," he said in a commanding tone, making Khaleb redirect his anger to him.
"This man was with the Calabi's chief when they attacked our camp. I have to torture him and find out what he knows," Khaleb retorted, his murderous gaze fixed on Azar.
"It is funny how you were scared of me underground, but now you seem ready to make an enemy of me. Do you perhaps have some techniques that are influenced by the environment? Is that where your confidence comes from?" Azar asked with a smile. "This man has poison on him. I can't let you give him the opportunity to use it. Besides, I think I want him as my servant."
"What? Will you risk taking in a serpent that will bite the hand that feeds him at the first opportunity? I don't know how things worked in your time, but you can't show mercy to an enemy and expect him to devote his loyalty to you," Khaleb voiced angrily.
"Loyalty, what a word you have spoken," Azar said, approaching Hamsha. "I was never inclined to use physical torture to obtain information. After all, in order to have a swift death, a man can say anything and treat lies and truth like bargaining coins. Unfortunately, I can't use my usual method of obtaining information, but if I want to, I can make him my loyal subordinate. Loyalty can be earned, bought, or imposed. And remember my words: with the right methods, forced loyalty works wonders for people with whom you don't have a connection."
Khaleb remained behind, squeezing the hilt of his dagger but not doing anything. His sisters joined him, watching what Azar was about to do.
"If I guessed correctly, you're a sensory type as well, right? And a decent one, no less," Azar spoke to Hamsha. "I want you to serve me from now on. I'm not yet sure what use I will have for you, but I've always had a hobby of collecting capable people. Now, if you cooperate, it will be less painful. If you resist, the enslavement process will burn your soul, literally."
Hamsha kept quiet but gave Azar a scornful look.
"I will take that as your answer," Azar said, removing Hamsha's keffiyeh. Then, taking a needle from his storage ring, Azar poked his finger to obtain a drop of blood, which he applied to the man's forehead. "Hold him," he ordered Araumir.
Bringing his palms together, Azar closed his eyes, tapping into his soul power. He hoped it would be enough for the enslavement ritual.
Connect to the Void Archive! In my name, Azar Tora Daremon, here and now, I call the initiation of the soul enslavement ritual for this man before me. I am fully aware of the consequences and accept the punishment for any wrongdoings this man will commit on my orders. I also make the oath to not tamper with his sanity or manipulate his free will for purposes unrelated to me. Begin! Azar covered Hamsha's forehead with a palm the moment the system's voice rang inside his mind.
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[Connecting to the Void Archives]
Identifying ritual...
Ritual identified: Soul Enslavement
Caster: Azar Tora Daremon
Target: Hamsha I Bashr
Requirements: A drop of blood, Incantation, Runic seals
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Azar removed his palm from Hamsha's forehead and started to draw the runic seals in the air with his finger.
By the shadows of the forgotten,
By the power of the bound souls,
I bind thee, [Hamsha I Bashr],
To serve, to obey, to yield.
Bound by blood, sealed by will,
[Hamsha I Bashr], you are mine to command.
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[Acknowledged]
Partial Soul Enslavement ritual: Successful
Altering soul information: Successful
[Hamsha I Bashr] is now your servant.
Ritual Effects: Activated
* Unable to resist orders
* Unable to think and act against the master
* Unable to commit suicide
* Target maintains free will
* Able to refuse commands
* Any thought and action against the master will be stopped by the punishment of pain
* Any resistance against orders will result in the punishment of pain
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After the voice of the system stated the repercussions in place for both the caster and the target, the ritual took effect, and a rune containing the energetic information of the ritual was engraved into Hamsha's soul. Hamsha resisted the intrusion of the outside force. However, the battle he fought wasn't against Azar's soul, but against the system. And no force could go against the system ruling the universe.
Azar stepped back, motioning for Araumir to release Hamsha. The poor man screamed as loud as his vocal cords could endure, his body trembling under the pain coming from deep within his spirit. He moaned in agony, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he buried his face in the hot sand. His body convulsed involuntarily, muscles tensing and relaxing erratically.
Khaleb and his sisters watched from a distance, both fear and respect visible on their faces. They weren't sure if Azar was who he claimed to be or not, but it didn't matter anymore. They benefited from his protection and witnessed his resolution in dealing with the enemy. All that mattered was that he was an ally for them and not a foe.
After seconds that felt like hours, Hamsha relaxed, hurriedly wiping off the sand burning his face. His breath was irregular, and his eyes showed deep fear when his gaze met Azar's in mid-air.
"I warned you not to resist it," Azar said. "From now on, you are forbidden to tell others what happened here and what you've experienced. This is an order, and if you don't want to feel the same pain again, you will abide by it. From now on, you're not allowed to take your life, but serve me well and you will live a good life."
"W-who are you?" Hamsha asked between short, rapid breaths. That was the only question his tired mind could allow his mouth to utter; about the others, he was afraid to ask.
"Your master," Azar said sharply, not wanting to say more to someone who hadn't earned his respect. "Cover yourselves, the sun is burning," he said to both his new servant and Araumir. "Pick a horse and let's go see what happened to your father," Azar instructed the siblings, taking Numdul's horse for himself.
Khaleb was the first to move, approaching the sitting horses under the withering tree. There were things he couldn't understand, like the sudden storm that started when they entered the crevice, and the tree that withered in a matter of minutes. But he was sure that all of them were connected to the man they woke up from stone.
Whether the man's awakening was a blessing or a curse for his tribe, he could not tell, but he was certain that this was the hand of destiny. And all he could do was adapt.
In the vast expanse of the desert, under the relentless sun and against a backdrop of shifting sands, the group traveled under Khaleb's lead, blending the grace of horses with the resilience of people. Their bodies shimmering in the haze of the heat, each step kicking up a fine trail of sand, leaving behind temporary imprints that the wind quickly erased.