Word had spread throughout the city of firstly the fighting outside of Zerachiel, The Enlighteners Temple, followed by the 'divine' revelation. Even though Ori had switched off Aura Amplification shortly after he was apprehended, his aura projected itself as a dome with an approximate radius of sixty paces, according to several eyewitnesses. And this was just all Ori could pick up as he left the prison, ascending several underground stairways, before making their way through a reasonable distance of buildings stuffed with guards, clerks, and all sorts of officials moving at impressive speeds.
‘So, this is big sis, Cordelia. Remember what I said, do not tell them about me; this is as much for your sake as it is for mine. Also, while she has an abrasive and rather taciturn exterior, she's a softy on the inside with a protective streak a mile wide.’ Sera said, warmth evident in her tone.
‘She’s a Mage? Like you?’
‘High Yellow Mage, Sovereign or B rank.’
‘Yellow?’
‘Defensive magic; shields, armour, barriers, permanent fortifications and structures. Earth and metal affinities. She's the toughest person I know, but for her to be in this state? It cannot be good news.’
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> "Lady Lavine of House Serilian, you stand before this court charged with three counts: Firstly, the grand larceny of an Immortal Ranked Artefact, an act in clear violation of Section one of the Theft Act, third era of the Seraph's, year Nine Hundred and Eighty Six. For intentionally and unlawfully taking property of immense value to the nation, with the intent to permanently deprive the nation of its possession.
>
> Secondly, you are charged with burglary under Section three of the Theft Act third era of the Seraph's, year Nine Hundred and Eighty Six, for illegally entering the Astoria Reserve with the intent to commit this offence.
>
> Lastly, the charge of conspiracy is brought against you, as per the Criminal Law Act, third era of the Seraph's, year Nine Hundred and Seventy Seven, for planning and coordinating this act with accomplices. These are serious offences that strike at the heart of our national heritage, and this court will proceed with the utmost gravity in considering these charges."
An overly officious voice echoed down the corridor Cordelia marched through. They made their way past two guards frightened off by the mere glare of the woman between them before Ori found himself storming into the middle of a crowded courtroom.
‘Mum,’ Sera whispered. Lavine was scarcely recognisable, she sat elevated in the dock, body beaten bloody, if not broken, her rigid, ram-rod posture belied the steel beneath her nobility. Ori shared what he wanted to believe was his customary nod as she met his gaze.
“Order! Order!” The sound of a gavel smacking a block rang out across the courtroom as their dramatic entrance was noticed.
"This is the Summons," Lady Cordelia announced to the chamber as if, instead of interrupting whatever proceedings were taking place, she was their conductor. “As you can see, and as my mother claimed, he yet remains.”
“Your honour, this is highly irregular!” spoke Fitzgerald wearing a familiar barrister’s wig.
Looking around at some of the unconvinced gazes, Ori decided that some showmanship was in order and activated Aura Amplification. Gasps and a cacophony of sounds replaced the jaded murmurs of just a moment ago. Cordelia looked around, taking in the change in scenery and gave a nod so stoic Ori wanted to study it and take notes.
‘She is very hard to impress, well done.’ Ori heard internally as he took in the scene.
"Last evening, Five of Astor's Sovereign champions sallied out to face Eltitus and his armies, only a day's march from the capital's walls. And only two of us returned." Shouts and cries of dismay followed Cordelia's announcement as their attention was yanked back to the crisis at hand. "My wards and protective auras were no match for the Lich, Terresa was the first to fall. The High Red Mage suffered a cursed arrow to the neck that we were unable to dispel before she succumbed to her wounds. Orick the High Blue B ranker was next, and as he fell, our progress through the Ravagers' army became truly bloody; of our host of twenty thousand, only a hundred or so survive. So when I returned to find my mother in chains, my sister dead, I was understandably furious. Doubly so when I discovered that the reason for their sacrifice had been languishing in the dungeons.
"This man, our final chance; a summons, though he refused to sign any contracts or voice any oaths, he stays while at any time since binding to that treasure, he could have fled like a thief in the night and left us to our fate. There is no obligation keeping him here, no power that could compel him to stay and yet he remains. By now, you may have noticed these Stygian Widows. I found him battling them in his cell, his Wand poise to strike as if it were a dagger. I say, let this man’s honour be the proof of my mother's innocence and not this blustering snake." She finished by pointing squarely at Fitzgerald.
“Boy, why haven’t you fled? You’ve gotten what you’ve wanted despite attempts to foil Lavine’s dastardly plans. You are no hero, and this is no place for fools with delusions of grandeur. Well, boy? Have you lost your tongue?” Fitzgerald shouted, his face red and puffy with rage.
‘Just why did he betray your faction again?’ Ori asked internally.
‘I can’t be sure, but I discovered evidence he was being offered substantial benefits to destabilise the court by outside forces, circumstances point to high elves, but I have my doubts.’ Sera replied.
‘So not Eltitus then? And what is he? A mage? Could you’ve taken him in a fight?’
‘No, the Ravager would not work with anyone he couldn’t directly control, and Blue mages— beast magic and transformations basically, excel in duels, an area white mages are often at their weakest. He is dangerous in a head-to-head peer confrontation, but why do you ask?’ Sera replied
‘Hmm, no real reason, just trying to get a sense of the guy.’
"Well!?" Fitzgerald interrupted his thoughts bringing him back to the present. A previous Ori would have already lost track of the question, but Ori's mind had been feeling clearer, memories coming easier to him, conversations—even those spoken simultaneously—becoming easier to untangle. And now, when he needed to sound serious and 'proper', formal speech patterns that would hopefully not make him sound like a dunce came to him with a small exertion of will.
He wanted to frame his circumstances in terms of divine tests of faith and perseverance, hoping to appeal to the vibe he had gleamed so far from his limited stay.
"For me, this summoning is a trial, a trial where I’ve come to understand the value of freedom. In a land from my realm comes a saying; ‘freedom isn’t free.’ You have to value it enough to want it, be bold enough to take it when offered, guard it when it’s threatened and fight for it when it’s denied. The Ravager will deny you your freedoms. I said I will fight, but as a mortal, all I can really offer is an opportunity. Do you value your freedom? Will you be bold enough to take this opportunity?” Ori said as he subconsciously pulsed his amplified aura in time with his points of emphasis, vivid blue astral lights momentarily washing out the pink.
“Your honour,” Cordelia walked towards the judge. “Now is not the time for petty court politics while the fate… the freedoms of millions hang in the balance.”
“A priceless treasure has been…”
“Enough!” The judge banged his gavel once more, clearly frustrated to have his courtroom in such a state of disorder. “You there, cease this… manifestation at once.”
Ori complied and instantly, the starlight, pink and violet auroral sky was replaced by the comparatively low ceiling of the courtroom while the judge looked on in relief. “Remove the manacles binding this man, he is under your parole Lady Cordelia until this crisis is averted.
“Understood, and about my Mother?”
“As you say, it will be his honour upon which your mother's guilt or innocence will be determined.”
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In a way, having Lavine’s fate rest on his actions made everything easy. Now things were personal, clarifying the hazy morality of attempting to save faceless millions with the basic goal of not giving up.
After the trial, he’d been shuffled from one building to the next, the mana-stifling manacles removed, his body washed, reclothed, and now allowed to eat. While the brusque treatment after his release came nowhere near to his pampering under Lavine’s care, it did give him a chance to feel human again.
‘Ah, this is funny.’ Seraphine giggled.
‘What’s? Funny? Is it how I eat?’ Ori replied.
‘Just, it’s like I’m a fly on the wall, I get to spy on all these people without anyone the wiser. See there, that woman with the striped apron with flour dusting her cheeks, she’s Gill, she used to feed me Salter’s pies when I snuck into the kitchen before dawn. I always suspected she had a thing for the Knight from Waltway, and now being able to catch her gazes when she suspects no one watching, I’m almost certain.’
‘You’re a bit of a gossip aren't you?’ Ori laughed. ‘Anyway, how do you even see when your spirit’s stuck in the wand, a wand I’ve not even summoned yet.’
‘It’s wonderful, isn’t it? Spirit sight, one of the longest-standing paracausal mysteries of our age and I get to study its effects and peculiarities first hand!’ Seraphine gushed. ‘Suffice it to say, spirit sight, the sight used by many non-corporeal entities produces effects similar to sight in presentation, so I can see just as well as I used to, better perhaps. It’s lightly influenced by the observer's expectations and I have several experiments to run when time allows.’
‘Uhuh. Glad to see you in such fine spirits.’ Ori chuckled. ‘Seriously though, the being dead thing, it doesn’t bother you? I would have thought the distance, the inability to interact… Don’t you miss stuff, like eating?’
‘Yes? No? Maybe?’ Seraphine sighed. ‘I’ve always been a bit detached from society preferring academic pursuits. Don’t get me wrong, I had my score of friends and dalliances, and loved gossip, but… I’ve always felt a bit disconnected, it’s hard to explain.’
‘I think I know what you mean.’ Ori said.
‘Oh?’ Sera asked.
‘It’s like, you’re living the wrong life.’
‘Living the wrong life. Hmmm,’ Seraphine pondered. ‘I suppose through that lens, my choice to pursue a brief stint of unlife makes sense.’
Ori laughed aloud. ‘Exactly.’
‘And what about you Ori, are you living the right life now?’
‘I’ll get back to you on that one. What is this called by the way?’ Ori asked as he raised the spoon full of salted ham and berries swimming in a savoury porridge-like soup.
‘Ghral’hok, why? Do you actually like the stuff?’
‘It could grow on me. The last few weeks have made me realise you never really know when your next meal might come. Even now, I’m still stuck in a prison, so I’m trying to savour it.’ Ori replied fishing out a particularly large chunk of pork from his soup.
‘I can only imagine what you’ve been through, even those hours in the cell…’
‘That reminds me, I’ve told you all about me, what about yourself Miss Lady Seraphine? I want to know more about you.’
‘Well, there’s not much to tell really. Born the youngest child of House Searilian, with the smallest share of the Grace…’
‘Share of Grace?’ Ori asked, recalling some of Freya’s knowledge on paracausal energies, of which Grace was the one most often associated with divinity.
‘Grace is one of the few ways we, humans can increase rank to and rank up to and beyond immortality. Gain the trust and faith of your subjects, and you shall gather grace, gain enough Grace and then you may ascend to divinity, but the amount of faith required for such… well anyway, in house Searilian’s case, our share of this nation's Grace allowed my mother and father, and more recently, big sis, to rank from Greater, or C rank to Sovereign,’ Sera continued while Ori’s mind was still considering the implications of the concept of Grace and becoming a god. ‘As for me, not only would I have to evolve one class to Arch, which would be impossible during a normal human lifespan, I would also need a racial evolution which is required to progress to Sovereignwithout grace.’
> Sovereign (Boundary: Level 75, B Rank): A testament to both one’s ambition and circumstance. At the Sovereign realm, the aura of individuals naturally extends their impact beyond personal boundaries, influencing the larger community and environment. This involves unconsciously shaping dwellings and landscapes, communities and practices, or leading or guiding others in the realm of magic. Most individuals seek to ascend to this rank over their prolonged lifetimes, but vanishingly few ever achieve it. Requirements: x10 Accolades. Peritia (varies), At least one class at the Arch Realm or Racial Evolution to High, Comprehension of a Sovereign Affinity or a requisite amount of Grace, The merging of every Spell or ability within one Spell Constellation, Unification of two characteristics.
Knowledge from Freya’s gift continued to provide context as he mulled over Sera’s words.
‘And humans can’t evolve, they just ascend as divinities with enough grace?’
‘Exactly! Goodness, just imagining what might be possible if humans could evolve. But I digress. I, as the youngest child in a noble house, born to caring, wealthy and influential parents, was mostly left to my own devices. I entertained myself mainly with academic pursuits, never feeling any pressure to commit to any specific path, and free to ignore the court for the most part. I wouldn’t say I was a spoilt child as I tried to be aware of the lives and hardships of those outside of my social sphere and help where I could, but I was a daddy's girl and shared in his passion for practical alchemy and enchantments. Like Cordelia, he was a High Yellow Magi and I had planned on following in his footsteps, but after his death, everything changed.
‘I think it was then I truly connected with my mother, her quiet strength, her nobility, she became my example and seeing her there, on the dock, it reminded me of why I chose the White over the Yellow,’ Sera’s internal voice wavered before coming firm.
‘Your mother believed you were too smart to stay in Astor and would go on to do great things.’
‘Well, so far, her premonitions were accurate as turning an unbound Immortal Wand into a phylactery using White Magic and a touch of blood alchemy was no mean feat, give me a few weeks and Seraph knows what else I will do.’ Ori smiled at her contagious enthusiasm and imagined just how much more of a chance he would have escaping Ghigrerchiax with her by his side.
‘You said you had three classes? And you're below level sixty? What level are you anyway?’
‘It’s generally uncouth to ask such questions of even a loved one or close family member,’
‘Really? Well, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.’
‘The details on your sheet from the Library of Fates, are as close to sacred as any secret one could keep, so keep them safe, especially as I fear even the smallest detail would draw attention you can’t afford to attract. However, as you have already disclosed your aspects, and given our unique situation… the most pertinent details from my sheet are that I am a level fifty-seven human, my classes are Clerk, Alchemist and Chromatic Magi of the White, I have Spirit as my Inherent, and Life, Light, Order and Regolith and Minerals as my minor affinities with no titled accolades as of yet. And If I were to speculate, your unified characteristics vastly surpass my own.’ Sera said.
‘Most of my characteristics looked pretty low, don’t even know what they mean.’
‘Barring Lifeforce, which is the universal characteristic used to determine one's rank, all your characteristics are between one and ten, which is the realm of the Awakened. You also have unified Will, Spirit, Presence and Perception into Domain, and unified Perception and Dexterity into Polydexterity, which means when compared to someone like me, a single point in your Domain would equal ten or perhaps one hundred in my Will despite being three realms higher than you while your polydexterity will allow you to compete against those at Nascent rank or higher. In all but Mana and lifeforce, you already stand at, or beyond the peak of human, mortal ability.’
‘But it doesn’t feel like I’m that much stronger?’ Ori asked.
‘Because you’re mortal, unAwakened, unclassed and unpractised accessing the bound portion of your abilities. Remember those spiders in the jail cell?’
‘I’ll remember those fucking spiders for the rest of my life, thanks. But yeah, you somehow helped me… what? Access that strength? And what happened there anyway? Was that our soul bond?’
‘I am unsure, but I’ve heard tails of something called the Resonance of Battle Harmony. A link can form between those of similar affinities during periods of extreme stress. It can happen at random and while I’ve not read of such in this context, I would not be surprised if our soul bond enhanced or even enabled the resonance to occur in the first place.’
‘Resonance of Battle Harmony? That sounds sick bruv, but what does it do?’ Ori mused.
‘Sick Brove? Should I even ask?’
‘Nah, just some slang.’
‘I see, well then. As for your question, I’m not sure what the resonance does exactly, but from what I experienced, it seemed like it allowed us to share our instincts when our goals were united. Perhaps with practice, this resonance could grow stronger.
‘As for the rest, yes, I helped you, but that strength, those reflexes, your mind, it was all your own power. While you’re far away from challenging most classed Awakened in a direct confrontation, you’ll be able to surprise many with your quickness.’ Sera added.
‘And your classes?’ Ori asked.
‘Chromatic Magi of the White, also known as White Mage, Alchemist and Clerk.’
‘Clerk?’ Ori laughed.
‘You would be remiss for taking the Clerk class so lightly. Many branching paths extend far beyond the reach of human progress. Some even say that one of the librarians of the Library of Fates started as a lowly clerk.’
‘One of these days, someone will explain to me what this library is exactly and who are the librarians.’ Ori grumbled.
‘Goodness. Do you really not know?’
‘I have some idea, they are like the gods of this world or something, they created the system that you all use to measure yourselves by.’
‘That is somewhat correct, though to call them gods would be misleading on so many levels.’
‘How so?’
‘The librarians… how should I put this? They are to the Gods, as Gods are to us, except that they didn’t create the gods, nor reality and they do not interfere with daily life except on matters relating to the Library of Fates.
However, it is said that when you transcend, your ‘Authority’, something intrinsic to every being above Immortal, becomes interwoven into the very fabric of reality. This was how the librarians, with their Authorities unified by shared purpose, created the Library of Fates.’
Ori found it all a bit much to take in, that you could become a god, and still have mountains you could climb and beings you would have to tiptoe around, this idea of Authority and profoundly altering reality for everyone just by getting strong enough was wild. That you could even become immortal or that souls were real was something Ori still hadn’t truly processed. He could only imagine the chaos such news would cause to the major religions on Earth.
‘Ori? There was something more I was hoping we could discuss.’