Volume 1: Acolyte. Chapter 1

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- NOOOO! - I woke up with a shout, quickly sitting on the bed. The sweat dripping down in a quantity comparable to having a bucked of water poured at. Definitely not a nice feeling, especially when the last thing you did before going to bed was to take a swim in the river.

Grumbling under my nose, I got up and undressed, deciding to take a quick swim again. Carefully I make my way to the river, as there might be some dangerous animals nearby. You never know...

In the end I made my way to the river without any obstacles. There I entered the water and spent some time to cool off and let the sweat be swept away by the current. After I felt well enough I drank some, as it was relatively clean and went back to my little camp.

Once I was there, knowing I won't be able to sleep again I packed the little things I had and once I was ready, with a backpack weighing down on me I resumed the journey.

I was to follow the trail of Da'in's shrines, and at the end of my road will I see the main Cathedral of my god. That was where I was supposed to finish my training to become the Acolyte of the god of Justice.

Actually being an Acolyte wasn't easy. In some cases it was on the same level as being the High Priest, a person who is said to have the authority to judge even Kings and Queens, as well as become Gifted with the powers of Judgement.

I smiled sourly at the though, as I was making my way through the woods. Being Gifted... when one thinks that it's a rare thing to be one, if the same person takes into account the powers of such people then he will indisputably notice that there are in fact too many of them.

And Da'in Church is one of the very few to blame for it.

Freely distributing the Gift of Judgement to Hight Priests, this fact alone makes this organisation a class of it's own. Sure, there must be some people striving to group up Gifted willing to serve them. However the biggest known gathering of such doesn't amount to as much as a quarter of High Priests.

I don't know what kind of Gift is the Judgement, however many have tried to make some of elder brothers, as we call them, to tell them either with or without pleasantries. At least bloody revenge on the ones trying the harsh way quickly turned away other potential kidnappers.

- 'Sigh' – those were the old times. I've got to focus. The shrines won't come to me after all.

I stopped in my tracks and took a look around. Until now I didn't pay attention, but it was considerably brighter then before. I looked towards the east. Sun was on the verge of showing itself. - 'No wonder then' – I commented, then looked back towards the north.

There I saw a single sword embedded in the stone, vines overgrown on top of it. - 'There, another one.' - I made my way towards it, and read the inscription.

Thy who art of the Just, sit and pray as to have thy path illuminated.

The writing was somehow enigmatic. Old language, still not going as far as being ancient. These shrines were at most three hundred years old.

I sat down cross-legged, facing the sword. Eyes closed, hands together making a perfect circle. Traditional meditating stance taught to us during Acolyte initiation. Teachers said something about it being the very basic, and that it was the utmost of what we could do. At least now.

I sat in the same pose for five minutes before noticing the change. I could feel the before undetectable energy going through the circle made by my hands. There it started twisting, coiling around me like a snake. My breathing got rougher. However I knew I had to steel my will.

Energy started to pulse, a sign it was becoming more and more unstable. More minutes passed, as the pulses became more and more chaotic. Finally it dispersed, as I lied down, desperately breathing as if I ran kilometres with my full speed. Blood flowing out of my head.

- 'Damnit. Damnit. Damnit!' - I cursed in my mind, not having the strength to move my lips. - 'Again, another failure. What am I doing wrong?' - I couldn't help but be angry. After trying to grasp for the power for a whole year, I still couldn't hold it.

If possible, I would keep on learning the basics of being an Acolyte. However I couldn't. Reaching the physical possibilities of the full-fledged Acolyte, I was almost forcefully sent away. Both as a failure, and a genius.

Failure with the lack of controlling the power of Justice's Gift, and a genius with my physical might. I still had long years before me, but my masters said that I cannot stay here any longer. And that Da'in summoned me to his main Cathedral. Something unprecedented before, as the candidates had to feel the contact of the god themselves.

However I had no way to grasp at the power before me. As if something blocked it for me.

When I consulted the masters, they had no idea either. They knew me from the moment they found me unconscious, without any memories whatsoever. They also knew that I didn't showcase any other Gifts, as I was put under strict surveillance for the first few months. Nothing would escape these elder brothers.

Having regained my breath, I stood up. Reaching over to the backpack I put nearby, I took out a map.

It was an extraordinary map, with a single path marked on it. Path so treacherous, that it resembled the treacherous snake, waiting for it's prey. To fetch away from the Just Road, as per Da'in's sayings. - 'Remember' – I recalled – 'that the Snake is constantly waiting for you. Lying by your side as you sleep, coiling over you as you eat, hiding in your shadow as you walk. It waits patiently, as it knows that you will show it your weakness. It will use it to break you away from the Justice, and push you down to the pit of Chaos.'

'But do not fear! As every time you overcome the Test, you become stronger! For the Justice, let us pray now!' - the words of Grand Brother resounded in my heart, as I put the map away and knelt down before the shrine. Not meditating, but giving my prayer to the one I decided to serve. For his is the Just...

* * *

After sending my prayers, I continued to move according to the map. I marked every shrine I passed through, thanks to what I knew which way to go. Compass also helped, but learning of direction wasn't so hard. In the end I've had an uneventful day of travel, as I didn't encounter another shrine.

I've made three quick stops to fill my stomach and twice I came across the little forest stream. Using the chance encounter I refilled my goatskins. Finally I made it through to a peaceful clearing, where I set up night camp.

Once in a sleeping bag, I became more restless. Memories of the last night's nightmare continued to haunt me. It wasn't anything new, I saw the same dream over and over ever since I remember. It didn't come to me every night, but the more I watch the more in pain I am.

I know it must be something of a great value to me. But... I can't. I can't remember anything past my awakening. Even the dreams, more and more clear with every coming one, bring more questions then answers.

Why does it seem that I am in another body? How come I cry every time upon the sight of the unconscious girl? What were the items in my bag and how did I know their names? What in the world was that strange sphere...?

There are more questions. Much, much more. I don't even know how to ask them properly... - Oh God, please help me! - I cried in my bedroll, as I have put my hands together in a prayer. I am so lost...

Oh the Just Da'in,

please help your faithful servant.

For he is in the wrong,

and you always in right and Just.

Come aid thy servant,

for his heart is in turmoil.

His soul is shattered,

and in billions of pieces.

Help him gather them back together,

so he can be a whole again.

Fill his empty mind

with Justice and right.

Afterwards I went into a deep sleep. Later in the morning I saw many traces of animals around me. I recognized some of them, other ones... definitely not. However I felt only gratitude towards the Da'in for giving me the divine protection. For the animals themselves are Just and are His servants.

I packed my things and resumed my journey. I only needed two hours of travel before noticing yet another little shrine.

This time the shrine was a boulder, where the image of Da'in was sculpted. A God of warriors and justice, drinking from an exaggeratedly decorated cup, holding it in both hands. Facing the outside, seemingly behind him was sea of dead bodies. Before, rough earth.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

As I came closer, I noticed that what I took as the rough earth was in fact sea of people bowing before his might.

I reached the carving. Surprisingly, the image of the God was in tatters. Wounds covered every inch of his body, his clothing non-existent, save for the little scrap covering his nether regions. However the most shocking revelation was the chalice.

It wasn't made of stone, like the rest of the masterpiece. Giving a metallic glint, it seemed to be made out of gold. - 'Or with an outer layer made out of it, at the very... no, it's His shrine, so there is no possibility that something would be faked. It must be pure gold! And those gems...' - I corrected myself looking in revere of the shrine and the godly image presented.

The cup was adorned with purest of gems I have ever seen. I stared blankly at it as minutes passed. Finally, I have noticed something unbelievable. The chalice seemed to fill itself, as ghastly lines were being drawn on the shrine. I traced them down to their source.

- It can't be! - I shouted aloud, looking terrified.

What I thought of being just dead bodies at first, turned out to be a view on the hell itself. Fires spewing out of the ground, flowing out hungry for death. Convulsing bodies burning, as the creatures were still alive. Innards flowing out of the titans lying face-first, unbelievable grief shown on their faces. Dragons, gigantic birds, titans, demons, fused mutants, golems, angels... Every kind of creature under the heaven.

And every kind of creature shared one trait. Link to the cup Da'in held and drank from.

Immediately I felt something arising with me. Temperature around me rising. Colour fading from the immediate area.

- Aaaarrrghh! - I screamed of pain, feeling my heart ached unbelievably. As if it was being torn to thousands of pieces.

I remembered the dream I've had the night before. How it ended. Right now I felt the same. - 'It can't be happening! It's not real! It's not real!' - my mind was screaming. I couldn't believe it. How come something that was in my dream could have re-appeared here. In reality. - IT IS NOT POSSIBLE! - the scream that came out of me was inhuman.

I was convulsing, finally thrown to the ground. I have clutched my chest in a self-embrance, rolling around in pain. It continued to increase in it's intensity. More.

More.

More....

...re...

…

I have opened my eyes. The are was dark, everything in the dark grey colours. Grey. I franticly stood up, looking around. It was all the same. All bathed in grey. - 'A monochrome...!' - I gasped, not believing what I see. - 'Did I somehow lose the ability to see colours?' - I pondered, unable to remain calm.

I looked everywhere, eyes wide-open. - 'If that is the will of the God, then...'

- Stop it! God this, god that! You utter fool! - a voice echoed in my mind. I fell on my bottom, unable to stand.

- Who is it? - the panic got to me, my hands desperately searching the ground around me for anything to be used as a weapon.

- You know me very well, or at least think so – the voice spoke again. - Also, why the hell are you searching the ground for a weapon while you have a pretty sharp thing clinging to your belt? Eh? Answer me, youngster! - the voice beamed with absolute confidence, as well as a hint of disdain by the end. Not that I noticed it back then.

- No, I have never heard your voice! There is no way I can know... - I shouted, panic-ridden voice echoed through the grey space as I have come to an understanding. - '...God this, god that...!' - I held my breath. Tears swelling up at my eyes. I have finally heard Hi...

- FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, STOP IT! - the booming voice shook my head, as the unbelievable pain went through it. Actually, it was pretty much nothing compared to what I felt before waking up. - Oh, sorry about that. But it really gets on my nerve – Da'in said – when someone constantly worships me like that.

- But you are the Just, who oversees all! How can I...

- OH STOP IT! - my God erupted again, as my mind went through a crazy barrel roll, leaving me barely standing. I could hear Da'in mumbling something about 'ridiculous teaching' and 'planting vile ideas in the pure mind'. Along with 'idiocy', but I couldn't tell who did he mean. Finally a minute passed before I could steadily hold my ground on both legs, as I looked around.

- Just call me Da'in – the answer to unasked question came on it's own. - I can read your mind, don't worry... I see, just relax and listen – he said in a cheerful tone. - First of all, I am this easy-going only in the times of peace, just like now. When in war, both worshippers and opponents fear me, as I am completely ruthless... But don't worry, there was no war big enough for me to step in...

I could hear his voice not inside my head, but somewhere behind the trees. I looked at the direction of the voice, but saw nothing.

- I'm right behind you! - the direction was just as the owner said, behind me. - But don't turn yet, I want you to close your eyes and listen first – I only nodded at that, sitting cross-legged and closing my eyes. This voice had something that was very... calming. I quite couldn't put my finger on it. - Right, now that you are ready, listen to me as I will not repeat myself a second time – Da'in said in his deep, calming voice as I heard some heavy footsteps behind me.

- The carving was put here in the honour of my last battle – he started, as the footsteps stopped. - That fated day, I have slew every creature endangering humanity. You see, your kind was but a tiny drop of water in the ocean of filth. Always preyed upon and devoured before having chance to grow. That was the time of the Beasts and the Seven – I could hear slight tremble at the last mentioned title.

- However humanity was courageous. And smart. Your ancestors have built great hidden cities, where they stood vigilant. Of both outside world and inside, where – I could have sworn I heard disdain in his voice once again – battles for supremacy went on. Really, even in the face of other absolute powers your kind never ceased to amaze me. Fighting amongst yourselves, doing more harm then good... Ahem! The young trained, the old supervised the training. Techniques were passed onto another, and soon... Soon 'puny' humans have grown to be puny no more.

The confidence rose when one of the polis as it was called at the time, was accidentally discovered by a pack of dragons. Rulers of the sky, arrogant in their strength, believed they were enough to wipe a whole city by themselves. And they were right, under normal circumstances, they would be – now his voice held some viciousness in it. - However amongst them was a brave warrior called Damon was his name, as he rallied people nearby to the arms.

You must know that the moment the pack which counted nine young dragons everybody fell to the panic, running franticly to the hiding. First ones to do so were smitten to ashes by the all-powerful dragon breath... However that one man with his axe high in the sky ran towards the dread, encouraging every human capable of fighting to go with him. 'If you have to die, then do it in battle!' was how he turned the one-sided massacre into a fierce battle between two powers.

Damon himself dealt fatal blow to five dragons, and much to his astonishment he felt he could absorb his souls and increase his own strength. That day he became the first human in a thousand of years to willingly step out of the underground and fight.

He became stronger and stronger with every creature slain, and soon enough he had his own company of warriors he led to every battle. Some died, but in the end he became known as the 'Damon Insatiable', for his lust for battle was said to be unquenchable.

In the end, mere three hundred years ago – the voice steeled itself, as some quick steps were heard – and after two millenniums of constant battle, that man laid down his battered axe and ascended. His new name became an abbreviation of both real name and a title, forming...

- Da'in – I finished, finally opening my eyes and looking at him. He was once a man as well. A man who ascended to the godhood.

- That's right, I ascended. And this carving – he pointed behind him, as he stood in somehow darker grass before the shrine – shows the very moment of my ascension.

But the true reason I came here was not to tell you this little story. - Right now he turned dangerous. If his expression could be said to be relaxed before, now it was completely serious. - You know, as of now you stand in the full strength of my 'Monochrome' Gift. Something which belongs only to me.

- How come it is only yours? Don't you Gift every elder brother with your strength? - I asked puzzled, my attitude changing from that of fanatic follower to the person feeling utmost respect towards the being before.

- What I give them is but a fraction of this, able to see into the hearts of others. Splitting truth from lies – he said, still serious. - However it is only a very weak variable of this Gift. - Back to the subject, I want to tell you something very important – I could feel sweat dripping down my neck, as I gulped down the saliva, or rather wanted to, but felt my throat completely dry.

- You, too, have the power of Monochrome – he said gravely.