"Well, the abridged version… I guess it started when I politely turned down a succubus's request for my soul…" Ori started...

"...And you claimed you were originally from a realm on the material plane?"

It took ten minutes to describe what might have been several aeons of time, except that Ori skipped most of the ordeals that took place within the trial, only informing them that his being a summons was somehow part of the process. After he had finished, the grilling began.

"That's what I've come to know, yeah," Ori answered.

"This realm, Aerilis, lies on the metaphysical boundary between the Celestial and Elemental demiplanes, although there are no bridges to the material realms from here as far as I’m aware… And this sprite, the deal you made with it for your familiar bond, you believe that is the reason why you cannot awaken until after your trial?" Fitzgerald asked.

"Not until she evolves first, I believe the agreement was: All my Peritia goes to her." Ori answered.

"I suppose, if confirmed, that rules out one potential avenue, as distasteful as some variations of that plan might have been," Elray griped.

"Wouldn't have worked. Peritia gained from summons always go to the summoner, even in death… unless your a part of the guild," Fitzgerald countered. 'Damn,' Ori cursed internally.

"Why do you think you are here, Ori? What were you searching for when the summoning brought you here?" Lavine asked.

'Both the summoner and the summoned must seek something from the other,'

Ori replayed the giant's words, reckoning that this question from Lavine carried more weight than the typical probes into his circumstances and background. He thought back to his mood while he gazed at the blue sky from within the ruins of the giant's dojo. He had been expecting to return to the Lifewell fountain with the chance to check in with Crucible after his ill-fated encounter. He had sought strength in the first trial, particularly because Freya had advised against placing all his eggs in a magical basket he didn't know he could use yet, but when Ori had found strength, or at least the example of pure physical strength he had been imagining, he had found it lacking.

It had been his fault, he'd realised, while looking up at the sky. He determined that strength, in all its forms, whether it was physical or the more esoteric forms of power or resilience that were considered signs of strength, was just a tool he needed to get what he wanted. And just before the trial ended, he imagined being free to explore the lands under those blue skies.

"Freedom," Ori answered after a pause that became long enough to be uncomfortable. "Freedom to walk away from unfavourable situations, or not. Freedom to be a hero, or not. Freedom to care about the fate of others, or to pursue my own happiness, whether it be by pushing myself to be stronger or smarter or to discover knowledge or just… be. I have a chance of helping you guys out, I like that I have that possibility, as well as the possibility to just walk away."

A long pause followed Ori's soliloquy as everyone contemplated his words before the door opened to the dining hall.

The manservant, Darkon, held several scrolls as he led another, far more austere man into the hall.

"Arch Diviner Kenna, my Lady. And the scrolls," Darkon announced.

"Thank you, Darkon. Leave us and ensure that we are not disrupted," Lady Lavine said, dismissing the manservant after he had placed the scrolls on the table, now cleared of plates and dining utensils. The diviner was tall and thin and perhaps as old as the Lady of the estate; hooded grey eyes set within a narrow face cast a sweeping gaze over those in attendance before landing on Ori.

"Thank you for joining us at such short notice, Arch Diviner Kenna."

"Truth be told, I've been expecting such a… summons," the diviner said with a ghost of a smile, which Ori couldn't help but mirror.

"Indeed, I suspect word of our… successful summoning has spread throughout Astoria by now. I expect Darkon has informed you of the particulars?" Lavine asked.

"Neither condition will be a problem. As you can imagine, many of my clients take confidentiality very seriously. As for the format, this isn't so unusual; as such, I take pride in presenting the divination as if it were a sheet from the very library of fates itself."

After signing oath scrolls that seemed to pulse with a power Ori couldn't figure out, he was told to stand before the Diviner, their hand on his back as a surge of foreign Mana rose and then fell. Ori blinked, and instead of the hall, he found himself staring at an honest-to-god character sheet from a video game.

Name:

Ori Suba

Titles:

Mortal Duælist (Unique)

Astral Adept (Legendary)

Accolades:

Titled: Mortal Duælist (Unique)

Titled: Astral Adept (Legendary)

Mortal four-fold unification: Domain (Legendary)

Mortal two-fold unification: Polydexterity (Very Rare)

Infernal Demon Bane (Rare)

Fae-ted (Uncommon)

Summoned (Common)

Age:

Adult (23 Sols)

Race:

Human* (variant unknown)

Rank:

Mortal* (Irregular)

Level:

0

Peritia:

19,664 out of 19,683 (to Awakening)

Classes and Spell Constellations

None

None

Core (0/0)

None

Inner (0/0)

None

Outer (5)

Arcane Hand*

Spectral Voice*

Dreamwalking*

Request Divination*

Learn by Heart*

(*familiar bond)

Skills and Abilities:

Domain

Boon of the Greater Succubus: One Thousand Tongues (983 out of 1000 languages remaining)

Characteristics:

Dexterity:

Unified (Polydexterity)

Domain:

(exceeds diviners rank)

Intelligence:

13

Perception:

Stolen novel; please report.

Unified (Polydexterity) Unified (Domain)

Polydexterity:

10

Presence:

Unified (Domain)

Spirit

Unified (Domain)

Strength

6

Toughness

Trace

Vitality

Trace

Will

Unified (Domain)

Wisdom

15

Statistics:

Mana Capacity:

None

Mana per second:

Trace

Breath Capacity:

Trace

Breath per Hour:

Trace

Grace:

Trace

Lifeforce Capacity:

Trace

Lifeforce per day:

Trace

Domain Radius:

Hidden (exceeds diviners rank)

Inherent Affinity:

(???) (Unknown to Library of Fates)

Attained Affinities:

Astral, Celestial, Abyssal, Material, Mana, Aether, Quintessence

Light, Dream, Void, Lightning

Traits:

Boon of the Succubus: One thousand tongues

Duælist

Familiar Bonded

Silence followed a chorus of gasps and curses from the dining hall as Ori tried to make sense of the words and numbers he was reading for the very first time. For example, what the heck was Domain and why did it exceed the diviners rank? And what did these characteristics even mean?

"This makes no sense…" the diviner mumbled.

"What is a Duælist?"

"Astral Adept?"

“four-fold unification!?”

“Unknown to the Library of Fate!?”

“Primordial affinities!?”

"Look at his Peritia, it’s over nineteen thousand, almost twenty times the average needed for awakening!"

"... in Seraph's name? A mortal with unified characteristics!"

"...never even heard of a mortal with a domain before!"

"Diviner, those characteristics, what rank are they? What are their multipliers?! Quickly, man, this is uncharted ground for our…"

"Lord Suba, are you certain that neither of your parents had… divine origins?" Fitzgerald asked.

"Hmm, what?" Ori replied, broken out of his thoughts while he gazed at his character sheet for the first time. Looking around, he found a mixture of gazes spanning from giddy awe to trepidation, fear, and bewilderment.

"Were your parents gods?"

"What? No, my mother died in childbirth and my father is just a man," Ori said. I take it some of this stuff is not normal."

"All of it is not normal," Elray said as he made his way around the table with a bewildered expression, face pale with a sheen of sweat coating his brow. "I don't even know where to start."

"You can start by acknowledging that his accolades line up with the story of his origins, even if it does appear some of the events relayed were… severely underplayed," Lady Lavine said casting a pointed look Ori’s way before her silver gaze returned to all those in attendance. "Tell me, lad, and this is of supreme importance: do you know or suspect what that inherent affinity is? Or what it might relate to?"

"It’s something to do with light. If I had to guess at something specific? Maybe the light beyond the final light of stars."

Lady Lavine stilled for several heartbeats, her expression frozen until it slowly sagged with a long exhale of breath. For a moment, Ori thought he had said something wrong or otherwise disappointing, but then the silence was broken by a soft chuckle.

"The final light of stars? I can scarcely fathom," Lady Lavine whispered. She looked up, eyes bright with renewed purpose, "It seems our path is clear. Perhaps it's the hardest of all possible paths, but one we no less planned for and expected nevertheless. Our summons clearly has a divine rank inherent affinity along with the will, nay, the Domain to use them. You may have questions, but time is really of the essence. Any day now, Eltitus and his horde could be at Astoria's walls.

"You all know your roles to play, and a reminder to keep what you have learned here to yourselves. My daughter has granted us a gift, lest us not squander it," she said, pinning each participant of the divination in turn. Finally, her gaze returned to Ori, "I dare say that if you ever come into your power, the civilised realms across fate will tremble. You were right to bind us in oaths; perhaps even greater precautions should you take in the future, lad. Regardless, come with me; we have a lot to do in very little time."

----------------------------------------

"So the plan is — I form a 'soul bond' with a Wand? And that will somehow allow me and others near me the ability to resist lifeforce drain? How’s this even going to work? I don't know how to cast spells, I don't think I have any mana—" Ori asked. He was situated in a private drawing room, sat by a desk across from Lady Lavine who had taken up the task of informing him of the next steps.

"This Wand is an artefact of power at the Immortal rank," Lady Lavine insisted, placing special emphasis on the term ‘artefact of power' as if Ori was an enchanter's apprentice. "It's recognised as such by the Library of Fates, and it's one of Astoria's precious few national treasures for two reasons: when soul bound, its wielder will become a pseudo-immortal, regardless of rank or lifeforce. Second, its wielder can also project an aura that requires no Mana or spellwork. This will grant not only you but any others in your vicinity immunity to the lifeforce corruption.

“We were unsure whether one of the requirements to soul bond with this item was the unification of Presence and Spirit into Aura, as aura projections are inherent in all celestial objects and entities above the Greater rank. However, as you have already unified these characteristics and have a divine rank, inherent affinity, we believe that this was the reason the ritual summoned you."

"So how come it hasn't been used already? Like the person who made it?"

"As I understand, it was crafted by an Immortal Celestial. Perhaps such an item might have been a trinket or training aid to a subordinate. Either way, it was bought at auction, and no one of standing has ever had the right characteristics or a great enough need to attempt to bind it. You must understand that Astoria, and by extension the nation Astor, is a somewhat ignored, resource-deprived backwater when compared to the High-Elven quarters of Althea, let alone the rest of the Demiplane. Few who reach Sovereign rank are loyal to the political system here, one that would grind all but the most steadfast under their heels eventually. And even fewer progress to the ranks beyond, of which none stay.

"Why?"

"I believe Immortals tend to hear the call of the path more strongly. Even if they never choose to walk it, all end up deciding to be within touching distance of it, of which Astoria is most certainly not. However, with me being at the rank of Greater and you a mortal, despite your peculiarities, I would suggest leaving questions about the particulars of High Awakened for another time."

"Alright. So, best case; I bond with this Wand and I have this aura, then what? We march into the army of undead and face down this Lich?"

"Depending on the size of your aura, a limited number of our strongest Sovereign and Greater ranked champions will form your vanguard as you strike towards the heart of the Ravagers' army."

"Alright… So, what's the worst that could happen during this battle? I mean, if I die? The aura disapears and then everyone else dies?"

"No… Even as a summon, even with a celestial artefact at the Immortal Rank, there may be little stopping Eltitus from using his fel magics to syphon your lifeforce and corrupt your spirit, your soul trapped within your undead corpse until eternity, or at least until you or he is put down."

"Fuck’sake. Then, what's to stop me from just leaving before the Ravager could do that? I mean, I'd imagine without a soul oath or something, I could just leave after the soul-bonding, taking your precious artefact with me?"

"Like I said before, there'll be no soul oath to keep you here."

"Then what's to stop me from leaving?" Ori asked, brows furrowed in confusion.

"Nothing. Isn't this what you wanted? Freedom? As the party representing the summoner, it falls on me to offer this, in exchange for the possibility of saving our capital."

"That's crazy? Won't your other leaders object?"

"I am almost certain I will be tried for treason." Lavine sighed, "Our lives are forfeit even if you are successful. A few old Greater Rankers in exchange for the possibility to save millions… it is a trade I would make every time."

"There has to be another way? If we think this through, I'm sure there's something we might be able to figure out that doesn't end up in more people getting killed. Maybe we could bomb the army or lead the Ravager away or somehow buy time for the city to evacuate?"

Lady Lavine sighed as her shoulders slumped, causing her to truly look her age for the first time. "The day after tomorrow, they will send our remaining five Sovereign rankers, including my eldest daughter. There is a fair possibility that by sundown three days from now, House Searilian will be no more, regardless of whether or not a miracle happens." She said as she drifted over towards a balcony that overlooked a verdant garden backlit by a warm sunset. "If you happen upon a scheme that could save everyone, I am willing to hear it, but we have all but run out of time.” She started to rise. “I must retire, and I would suggest that you catch some rest now unless there is anything else?"

Ori was about to say no but hesitated.

“What is it?” Lady Lavine prompted,

"Just… What was your daughter, Lady Seraphine, like?" Ori asked. At the question, some of her energy seemed to return.

"She was a precocious child, smart, incisive, and meant for better things than what this realm could offer. Had she… lived, I would have banished her from this household so she may have flourished out in the greater realms of fate, instead of the slow poison that is Astoria's court. I think you two might have gotten along, though I doubt someone as mild-mannered as yourself would have suffered her exuberance for long." Her voice cracked as a shadow fell over her silver eyes. "I miss her already; part of what makes all of this bearable is knowing she is with her father, and that whatever happens next, I will see them soon.

“Oh, before I forget, I found this on my desk,” She added, handing over an envelope sealed with red wax. Ori took it, turning it over in his hands.

“What is it?”

“I believe my daughter intended it for your eyes only. Goodnight, Ori.”

Ori nodded as Lady Lavine of House Searilian left the room. He watched her leave and felt the weight of millions piling on top of his soul. Seeking a distraction from his thoughts, Ori sat beside the desk, looking for a letter opener. He found something akin to a small ornate dagger that seemed excessive, but upon feeling the texture of the not-quite paper in his hand, Ori reconsidered his assumptions.

Keeping the seal intact, Ori removed the letter inside. It was written in a cursive he didn't recognise, but in a language his overpowered demonic boon could translate.

> Dear Summoned Hero,

>

> I hope this letter finds you well. The fact that you are reading this means that, while I was successful in summoning you here, I, unfortunately, did not survive the ritual. Do not worry, for if I had survived, your nature as my summon would have been woefully inadequate for our needs.

>

> By now, my mother's briefing should have taken place and you must be aware of the plan to soul-bind you to a national treasure of Astor. I have no wish to plead nor beg for you to go through with this, nor to stay behind and save our city should the soul-binding be successful as such efforts are purely for the living. However, despite the impressions you may have of our realm so far, there are people worth saving, my mother and sister being chief among them.

>

> Regardless of the events to come and your part in them, I wish you the very best of luck.

>

> Yours sincerely,

>

> Lady Seraphine of House Searilian

>

> C Rank Magi of the White

>

>  

>

> P.S. Please do not reveal the contents of this letter to anyone. Burn it, if you can. Thank you.

>

> P.P.S. Fitzgerald is not to be trusted. Do not eat anything he gives you, follow any advice he provides, or act upon any orders he issues. He and I are due a reckoning, and I will have one in this age, or my next.

“Fuck’sake!” Ori cursed into the empty room.