He appeared to wander off into another direction entirely. Gelehrter merely waited, his cloak of invisibility demanding his concentration. As the lights dimmed overhead, an eerie glow replaced it. Emanating from each tank individually, the dim light reminded him of sick bile which was served in some inns as food and he shivered at the thought.

His steps were faint and otherwise unnoticeable. He expected the room to illuminate as he traipsed over to the tank containing the young Ernald, but to his surprise the expanse remained dim. The image hanging above Ovelia's fireplace flashed before his eyes as he observed the floating frame above him.

He is Ernald, at the very least. Gelehrter scratched his head. But why on Sanctuary would he need to be revived? His memory alone is what drives others to better themselves, many Justicar worship his life and seek to emulate him in some manner.

“Is that so?” A voice echoed in his mind. He glanced about in surprise and then turned to Ernald. The boy's eyes focused onto him. His presence in the abyss of his psyche unnerved him and he swallowed nervously. Vast knowledge was hidden within his brain, locked away for reasons unknown. Returning him would be the easiest option, but there was no easily decipherable mechanism to release him without an alarm.

“I give you a simple choice.” He spoke again in his mind. “You allow me to take your body...in exchange for knowledge. I do not know what it is they seek by reviving me, nor do I want to find out. Their Resurrection spell had worked only once and it siphoned nearly all of Hannibal's youth. He remains as a husk in comparison, only death would release him from this agony.”

“You cannot be serious.” Gelehrter whispered. “A trade like that is not fair in the slightest.”

“But I am. Being the first Mortem, I have access to many areas of Sanctuary and its innards. I know the routes in the Lower Sector, as I have memorized the frequency and the direction of the change. The Grand Atheneum was my design. Being a Justicar, you know this to be an opportunity you cannot refuse.”

“I can find another way. I am not trapped here like you are, my Overlord.” The use of the word stunned him. In the same manner as I would Ovelia...

“If you would not accept me...then I will perhaps convince Hannibal and Accalia filet your hide.” His threat was convincing, but he bit his lip nervously.

“What are the terms of this...possession?”

“You will house my spirit. I will grant you new strength...far beyond your wildest dreams... However, you will never return to your former self. If you attempt to remove me from your body, I will take it. I will then use your body and cast out your spirit. I know how to get you out of here and into the land above...to your beloved.” His words struck Gelehrter's core.

Promise from a Mortem... If I were to take him on his word, then I would essentially become a literal slave to him. And what are the odds I would find a...duplicate...of Ernald in the depths. He would somehow guide me out of here. I can still say no and take my chances with Accalia... Hannibal does not seem like a threat, but it would not be wise to dismiss him. A man of such an age, even if he had made some mistake to lose most of his youth, would still have the magical prowess to destroy me. There is technology I do not have experience with here and it would no doubt do me in. Gelehrter's thoughts continued for a spell before he finally faced Ernald.

“Why not use Hannibal or ask Accalia to do this for you?” He asked.

“Accalia is a Mortem who had descended not long after I was killed. She heard of my prowess and wished to have me resurrected. The price for such an action is immense, as the power to return one to life requires one to give their own youth to another. As we are near immortal, if we are not stabbed by our fellows, it is unheard of for anyone to return another to life. If one is to die, then they are simply dead. We mourn their loss and continue on. She was stubborn and wished to resurrect me anyhow, despite all the warnings from her colleagues. When they attempted to apprehend her, she beat them all within an inch of their life. All of them were reduced to living husks and then returned to their normal state in order to fuel the spell. Countless times she tried and then found Hannibal. He agreed to have her use his youth in place of her own. So it is now that I am alive...in a body that I cannot fully wield. Accalia would not freely give her own beauty even if it is to bring me a new body to use while I recover my resources.” Ernald's spirit seemed to grow bored of explaining himself.

“Then...where on Sanctuary are we?”

“We are in one of the many research facilities established by myself and Eloise many eons ago. We had believed Sanctuary to be perfect, but we were sorely mistaken when we found strange entrances to a place below. Unfortunately, we had no creative names. Thus, we named this region below the Lower Sector. It is a harsh environment, as you have experienced for yourself. Instead of steering away from this area, we had instead vied to study it. The fruits of our efforts were stored in many similar places all across Sanctuary. For a time, we had made use of converting the hallucinogen in the air into more valuable prospects. This gave way to more medical advances for the common man...” Again, Ernald's spirit trailed off, becoming wise to the ruse.

“You know I cannot do this. What would Ana think?” Gelehrter whispered.

“Your beloved is called Ana Edith, is she not?”

“Yes, she is.”

“If I were alive and well in your shoes with this opportunity, I would not hesitate to seize it. Should you be captured, you will be killed and your memories extracted. You know the process, as you have read over it. How then will you go to Ana and tell her of this adventure? Would you instead take your chances on this foolish venture and attempt to escape? Any Justicar worth their weight in salt would see the odds stacked against you. You are sworn to finding the truth in all things so it can better aid you in your future decisions, as you are the tip of the spear of Sanctuary's might. With this in mind, you would still stall for time?”

“I am not stalling! I am gathering information!”

“I am urging you to make a decision quickly. They will return to test a few more subjects and will not allow for you to escape. Before you are able to craft a spell to defend yourself, you will find yourself in these very chambers. Then you will wish you had taken my offer. I am allowing you to see Ana for as long as you wish. Gavilis will figure me out, as my personality will bleed into yours. Ovelia will know I am here because she has felt my aura in her dreams and would welcome this addition. I will convince them to aid us in claiming a new body for me. Hannibal and Accalia will be apprehended when their plot to ruin Ovelia by using my existence to contest the Eternal Throne.”

“How are Mortem able to reproduce? There is one in this world who was produced from the joined blood of Dwyn and Mortem.” Gelehrter seemed to strike a certain curiosity with Ernald, but he answered nonetheless.

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“There are rare cases when a Dwyn, who serves as the catalyst, is successful in their spark. I know of Arden's existence but nothing of her parents. I am afraid what I do know of her is told to me by Accalia.”

“I was separated from my friends as well. Rena and Arden were caught in the opening of the door and I wonder how they fare, will you lead me to them first?”

“They are beyond your reach. The Citadel would have more answers than I currently do as to their whereabouts.” Ernald's answer was short and he appeared to be growing impatient.

Gelehrter growled under his breath and rubbed his chin as he contemplated the matter at hand.

“I accept...” His words escaped him and sounded alien. The life within the eyes of Ernald's body vanished, Gelehrter's body absorbing the ancient spirit. Vast knowings of a time long past, which once existed only in records and other data, flowed deep into his psyche. Knowledge took root, his frame attempting to comprehend the complexity of the nuances of each machine. The innards and the minute details of each machine were clear to him. As he turned about, the dials and other instruments were tools.

He peered down at his hands. Though they did not change in any matter, he felt strength radiating from within his frame. Power of an unknown origin, a hidden purpose, drove him. His own doubts however, halted him.

The foreign presence faded almost into nothingness, but dormant in the abscesses of his mind. A few moments passed and he silently strode into the chamber he had entered from. Careful to not alert the motion sensors in the area, he kept his back to the wall. A scarlet dot was visible in the darkness, his eyes focusing on its movement. As it turned away, he bolted into the next room.

His eyes hastily adjusted to the dim lights in the next room. He had no perception other than the glow emitted from the various machines. An urge to survey each display rose from within but he bit his lip to collect more data.

I wonder how they are doing... Did I imagine meeting them, or were they really with me? He thought after rounding a corner. Though he had never set foot in this research facility, Ernald guided his steps. His legs seemed to operate on their own and the doors opened for him.

“Welcome, Ernald Mortem.” A voice spoke from a small box near one of the doors.

“What on Sanctuary...?” He raised an eyebrow but thought nothing of it. The sound was barely audible, but enough to bring alarm to those in a close vicinity. His sense were unusually alert and his ears detected sounds they normally could not.

“Activate your Blessed Star of Sanctuary. It is vital that you are protected at all costs, I will attune it to your body at a much higher rate, as it was developed by Eloise and will recognize my spirit.” Ernald commanded.

Gelehrter obeyed reluctantly. His fingers pressed against the familiar Blessed Star and it stitched itself around his frame in its usual manner. The cloth however felt heavier and resolute. Instead of the drain caused by the mystical armor, his strength waxed. A nearly invisible barrier surrounded his body and seemed to silence his every movement.

What on Sanctuary...

“Gavilis and Ovelia are amplified in a similar manner. I would imagine it would be the same for Arden since Mortem blood flows through her veins.” Ernald informed him.

Gelehrter nodded and refrained from continuing their conversation. Interesting though it was, the idea of escape was imperative.

He blinked as a camera on the wall ahead of him scanned the area directly onto him. As this occurred, the Blessed Star hummed and his figure faded from view. The camera continued on its route and he released a sigh of relief. He padded along the floor and took a detour into the center of the chamber. Gelehrter shook his head and then peered at several of the keypads.

“We have no time for snooping.” Ernald warned.

He shook his head and tore himself away from the apparatus.

Several steps away was a lift and he approached it carefully. A smaller speaker buzzed as he neared it and he blinked as it addressed him.

“Please speak the password.” It said.

“E-Err...”

“Incorrect. Please speak the password.” The speaker beeped.

“Sanctuary's Holy Market Yields the Truth.” Ernald assumed control of his body and his voice melded into a deeper version of his own. He shook his head as the elevator whirred into life and the doors welcomed him.

“Where would you like to go, my Overlord?” A mechanical voice asked overhead. Lights shone brilliantly as he glanced about. He pressed a combination into the device and it hummed as it received the command.

Silence pervaded the lift. Gelehrter felt the tinge of regret rest onto his shoulders, the weight of his decision truly coming to light.

“If you are wondering whether this is the wrong decision or not, the thought should only serve to strengthen your resolve. Your blood may not be Mortem, or even close to a Delacroix, but your blood is your own. It is a strong bloodline and it is yours, cherish it while you are still alive. I had little time to honor Eloise because of my station, but she understood. She is my greatest friend and companion. I hope Ana will be the same as well for you.” Ernald gently consoled him.

I suppose that would be a welcoming thought. Time does not pass as it would in any logical sense in Sanctuary and I have grown accustomed to it. However, that does not aid me in wondering whether Ana has grown fond of someone else and allowed them into her life. A mission such as this—the illogical loss of time and self—with its grave implications would no doubt have an impact on her. If Stolzer were here, he would remind me what it would be like to be a Justicar—never mind what he thinks, Eisener would have my head. Gavilis would advise me to leave Ana be, Ovelia would be much too busy to give me any useful advice...unprofessional as it would be for her. Rena would still urge me to mail her books from places I had been. His thoughts were interrupted by the lift hissing as it came to a halt.

“Welcome to the Market District, my Overlord. Please enjoy your stay.” The voice box chimed as he stepped from invisible door and into reality. Rays from the sunlight caressed his skin and he deactivated the Blessed Star, his clothes appearing once more.

“That thing called me Overlord. Does it not know the difference between you and I?” Gelehrter asked.

“I will explain later. Get your bearings and find Ana.” The presence of the former Overlord vanished almost indefinitely after his bark was heard.

His head turned about in search of the Citadel. A rising tower which could be seen from any point in Sanctuary, weather permitting. He spotted the dark imposing structure and headed toward its general direction.

He took a moment to tear the emblem of Thalanil stitched into the gambeson. Several passerby recognized the aura of the knight and stepped aside, his gait quickening.

Unusual amount of activity remained in the Market District. Dwarves and Elves retired to their homes toward the evening, but some had remained to serve the owls. He passed several inns and other pubs which raged with ruckus. The streets were laid carefully with cobblestone which was illuminated by lampposts as afternoon drifted away.

A rising swirl of smoke caught his attention and he round a corner. His pace increased near to a sprint, the excitement of seeing Ana again overtaking him. He leaped deftly over several carts and into the yard. However, he halted at her door.

The ringing of her hammer stung him at his core, the chime of the hammer onto steel seemed at a loss. He heard her moving about, the hiss of the quenching process and her mumbling.

Gelehrter reached for the door and knocked.

Chiming from her hammer ceased and she opened the door to the forge. A pair of glazed emerald eyes peered up at him. The scent of soot, sweat and blood fill his nostrils, bandages wrapped around her callused hands. Her worn leather apron seemed to be dyed black with stains. She raised an eyebrow, gazing up at him with a certain familiarity.

Without another word, she slammed the door in his face.