[Book II Chapter 10] ROSE: Taking the Oath

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It’s finally happening. With no warning, Nero had announced it was time, and they were on the way to take the oath. The abruptness had thrown Rose off balance.

“I honestly thought there’d be some preparation.” She said. “I mean, if it’s that easy, why didn’t we do it six months ago?”

“Even at sixteen, you’ll be among youngest oath takers.” Nero answered. “I am making the exception based on your experience in deathless coliseums.”

So our age was a concern? “By the way, how does it work? It’s a strange to know nothing…”

“Trust me, you’re lucky.” Wise cut in solemnly.

Rose watched her brother closely. I had the feeling something was bothering him lately… Was it this? Rose approached her mentor, ”Anything I should know?”

“Relax, everything will be fine.” Roxanne reassured her. “It’s unavoidable anyway.”

That second comment only heightened her apprehension. Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself with logic. Thousands take the oath each year. How bad could it be?

They entered a half dome. The place was barren save for a paved path leading to a stone archway connected directly to the black mountain. As always, Xarst reflects no light.

Before the archway, Nero turned to them. “I have only one instruction for you. Remember the words, ‘I will not lie.’ Repeat them in your head and burn them into your memory, so you will never forget them.”

He moved aside and gestured, “Please step through.”

I will not lie. I will not lie. Rose reached out and sunk her hand into Xarst’s rock, a sensation similar to entering the pillar. Alright, let’s do this. Rose took a deep breath and walked into the darkness.

For a second she was alone. Then they came for her, the fractured souls of the damned. Crippling despair, maniacal panic, and soul-crushing regret flooded into her at their touch. She tried to shake free, but they wouldn’t let go, demanding she share their never-ending suffering. She was lost, drowning in an ocean of torment.

The agony was unbearable, worst then anything she’d known, worse than any torture she’d thought possible. Hope of survival long gone, Rose wished only for release, her sense of self collapsing.

Then she was moving, pushed up by some unseen force. She breached the surface of the muck, and the legions assaulting her screeched in outrage. As the last of grudges fell back into the abyss and her pain receded, some part of Rose realized she rested in an enormous hand. The towering figure raising her stood in the ocean of filth, unmarred by its taint.

For a long while, Rose just lay in catatonic stupor. Finally, the words returned to her, and she whispered, “I will never lie.”

Then it was over. She was on the floor outside the gate, her shattered mind whole again. She knew of the trauma she’d endured, but it was as if it had happened to another, holding no emotional weight.

“That was horrible beyond imagination,” Wise sat up besides her. “Yet I feel surprisingly okay.”

“That’s everyone experience.” Roxanne said.

Rose shivered, “What happens to those who don’t speak the oath?”

“It never happens.” Nero answered. “If a candidate would fail, Torak doesn’t permit them entry.”

Wise stood up and stretched, somehow more full of life. “Knowing what was awaiting me was not fun. I am so glad it’s over.”

“Sorry, there was no way to keep it from you.” Nero apologized. Then he smiled and motioned the archway. “Shall head inside? Nothing to worry about this time.”

Rose was awestruck. Inside was a mountain-shaped space the size of the Isle of dreams, with the outer stone covered with the thickest tomb ivy she’d ever seen. The phantom plants were clearly visible despite the ample lighting. No, that’s backwards. It’s the tomb ivy which is lighting this place as bright as day.

“They don’t wilt to the touch here.” Wise said. “And their shine is stronger than anywhere else.”

In the center, pancake-shaped floating islands were stacked on one another, narrower towards the top and wider towards the bottom. Through them snaked thick support pillars overflowing with rainbow colored vines and flowers. The stone path they were following continued here, now a long bridge connecting to a luscious green park. On both side, ghostly knights stood at attention, their blue forms radiating a somber splendor.

“Pardon the fanfare.” Nero said. “This entrance is used for new arrivals, and Xedion likes to make a big first impression.”

Rose turned to Wise, “Xedion is the ‘Seeker of Knowledge’, a master of warping the laws of physics and the one who presides over the academy ahead of us. He’s also one of the triumvirate, the three ancient necromancers who run Xarst’s interior.”

Rose smirked. Sick of asking questions, she’d finally found a solution. Whenever she wished to know something, she’d give Wise a look and he’d provide the answer. I’m still jealous of All-Knowing Grasp.

“A couple of basics as we proceed.” Nero began. “Fighting of any type is prohibited outside designated arenas. Even if it wasn’t, the entire interior is deathless zone of sorts, so it’s pointless. Only those who reach the end of their natural lifespan can pass on.”

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“The corrupting influence of necromantic magic is virtually eliminated within this space. Same with the undead.” Nero nodded towards the ghostly warriors. “This is the only place where they are this docile.”

True… Since they weren’t radiating loathing, Rose hadn’t even realized these were undead.

“The effects of Xarst’s shadow are twice as potent here.” Nero glanced back. “Same as other anti-aging factors, it only affects those who are fully grown so you needn’t worry.”

“Finally, this is the academy.” Nero stepped off the bridge. “For those without personal mentors with matching affinities, it’s a vital place to learn.”

In the distance, black robed students were scurrying between elegant white buildings. Wearing necromantic attire strengthens death magic and resistance to its corruption. It’s practically a requirement.

“Nero normally teaches here.” Wise explained. “He took a leave of absence for our sake.”

“I was fortunate enough to find a capable substitute.” Nero agreed.

“That substitute was Radin Lockworth.” Wise added impassively.

Rose took a second to process this. So the Adventurer’s guild’s missing treasurer is teaching Nero’s classes? “How did this happen?”

“He showed up on the eve of the pillar’s destruction and proposed it himself. Thanks to him, I was able to free up my schedule. As to why, you’ll have to ask yourselves. My foresight doesn’t work on him.”

The gardens commanded Rose’s attention as they advanced. There was a tapestry of every flower imaginable, all blended together seamlessly. The trees added to the splendor. Some were huge, towering over buildings with their canopies. Others were flowering in vivid shades of pink and drooping clusters of yellow. Tying it all together were flawlessly manicured hedges and grass. It’s too perfect… Despite every plant being in full bloom, not a pedal marred the lawns. Even a careful search didn’t reveal a single withered leaf or stem.

Rose noticed Roxanne watching her. “What is it?”

“Nothing, you just remind me of myself the first time I visited.”

“I see…” Rose glanced around. “Actually, I’m surprised there are so many plants. Isn’t that much ‘life’ disruptive?”

Roxanne caressed a flower “This garden isn’t truly alive. Living things grow, mature. Nothing ever changes here. Every blade of grass stays the same length. Every flower blooms unceasingly. They’re locked in stasis for all eternity.”

Frowning, Rose picked a leaf and watched another appear in its place. “That’s basically immortality. Couldn’t you do the same for humans?”

“What would be the purpose of turning people into living statues?” Roxanne laughed.

“Oh right.” Rose mumbled, embarrassed.

“There was someone who tried once.” Roxanne gazed off wistfully. “After all, a single instant might be worthless, but a short time loop is another story.”

“Joel Tulian created the everlasting day, an enchantment that resets a person’s time every night. He used it to keep his dying wife, Alice, alive for nearly two centuries.”

She shook his head. “At least Alice knew what was happening before she was trapped in the endless cycle, so she was able to make the best of it. It was far harder on Joel. On top of the strain of maintaining the enchantment, he had to explaining the same news hundreds of times, watching the same reactions. It wore away at him to the point Alice noticed and convinced him to end the magic. By that time, his will to live had eroded, and they both departed together.”

“Did you know them?”

“I met him towards the end.” Roxanne nodded, then smiled again. “By the way, did you know that every plant here is tended to by one man?”

“I did not.” Rose answered.

“Officially, his title is caretaker, but everyone calls him the gardener. He’s the oldest member of the triumvirate, and his area of mastery is stasis and calling forth the undead. In addition to the gardens, he oversees Xarst’s deepest reaches, where the sleepers lie.”

“Who’s the last member of the triumverate?” Rose asked.

“She’s right over there.” Roxanne pointed.

A silver-haired woman was waiting in front of the central support pillar. Nero waved to her. “This is Jesabelle Lancer, the keeper of Records. She manages Xarst’s upper portions, where time flows differently. We’ll be borrowing a floor from her.”

“No need for introduction.” Jesabelle said. “It might be their first time meeting me, but it’s not my first time meeting them.”

“What does that mean?” Rose asked.

Jesabelle smirked, “The last time I saw you, your bottom half was separated from your top. I’m glad you got better.”

Rose’s eyes went wide. That’s not possible.

“She was there.” Wise stammered. “She’s a time traveler!”

“No one knows more about moving through history than Jesabelle.” Nero confirmed. “Her keepers are tasked with recording significant events, and they do so by spectating directly. Their ability to mask their presence far surpasses the assassins you encountered on the Isle. It’s safe to assume they are always watching.”

“Although for this dark age,” Jesabelle sighed. “Simon Black will be a problem…”

“You’re his teacher.” Wise stated.

Jesabelle nodded, “Simon was an amazing student and would’ve made an excellent keeper. In terms of skill, he is second only to me. More annoying, his sensitivity to temporal fluctuations is uncanny. I can only obverse from a considerable distance to avoid detection.”

She turned to Nero, “Heading down?”

“Yes,” He glanced back. “Those two are interested in seeing the sleepers.”

I am. Rose had become quite accustomed to Nero fulfilling their desires without asking.

Bidding goodbye, they approached a bone archway in the support pillar. “These are how we get around. They will take you where you are meant be.” Nero explained, walking in.

They exited to an inverted forest, just as impressively arranged as the gardens above. The ivy is dimmer here. Nero led them to a stairwell then stopped to cast powerful magic. Rose felt a familiar sensation engulf her.

“It’s a temporal bubble.” Wise explained. “Time moves slower in the depths.”

They descended several minutes before reaching a terrace overlooking a vast, deep cavern. “This is far as we go.” Necro declared. “A single hour down there is a year outside. Only the gardener is capable of resisting that halting pull, and he doesn’t give tours.”

Rose looked down. The bottom was dark, but she could barely see outlines resting in beds of ivy.

“It’s a protective measure.” Wise added. “No one can make it down before the gardener notices.”

Rose glimpsed a lighter area where silhouettes appeared seated. “What’s going on over there?”

“Not everyone decides to sleep. Xarst’s founder was fond of of poker. He set up table and welcomes all newcomers. It’s become a tradition for his successors to join him.”

“So you mean Xarst’s former leaders are locked in a never ending game of cards?” Rose didn’t hide her disbelief.

“Until the day they can put their talents to use in Xarst’s defense.” Nero agreed.

“It’s nearly time for me to go greet them.” Nero sighed. “Withing a month of a dark age, time is sped up and an announcement is made, giving everyone the chance to participate.”

He regarded them, “The rumors are true. Several of Sola’s allies rest down there. Some are quite formidable and will undoubted join Simon. Few will side with Enera as most so inclined are already active in the world.”

“Nero woke me early,” Roxanne added. “The tiniest breach of etiquette.”

“Can’t you…” Rose began, but was cut off.

“There are certain oaths I took when assuming this position. One of them was impartiality. Even if I could break them, the triumvirate would never allow it. The sleepers will soon wake.”