The rolling green hills seemed to stretch on forever valley after valley, the green grass and flowers painted all over the surface of the ground. The small pocket forest hides small areas in the valleys from view. Over the last hill the large white cliff and the massive cathedral on the top. The back side faces the ocean. The massive waves crashed against the white rock. The seven steeples stood high above the ocean, the immaculate stained glass windows offset by the gold-colored walls. The intricate carvings of knights and saints lined the outside walls and the large massive golden doors stood lined with carvings of the sun.
The sight made sartas feel at home for it had been his home since before he could remember. Avin had always said the great divine had been directly involved with the cathedral's construction. Every Time he saw he knew that it had to be true. He missed Alvin, his heart longing to see him. If only he had been able to stop those bandits if only he hadn't gone alone but no time for that as he prodded his horse to continue faster towards the cathedral. A small stable stood directly south of the cathedral, with a few horses and piles of hay. He proceeded to make his way quickly he dismounted his horse a small figure emerged from the stable, his all-tan tunic and brown well-kept hair as he took the reins and bowed to Sartus. Thank you Sartus said nodding to the supplicant
Opening the giant door the hinges loudly protesting with a dull hum the giant atrium came into view the rows of pews leading up to the stage with several large chairs. The tall ceiling seemed to stretch to the sky with several stone columns and torches lit to give light. Supplicants streamed in and out not making a sound. Many were laden with large stacks of books as they pressed through the atrium down one of the four different hallways. All of them wore the traditional tan tunic spotlessly and blandly. The women had short hair wearing no makeup and the men had well-kept hair with no facial hair. They flew through the room not even glancing in sartus direction completely enraptured in their task.
A small group of ten supplicants followed a man in a brilliant robe tan and blue with two golden buttons on each of the shoulders. A few had quills writing vigorously as the man spoke. Two broke off with him pointing towards the door. Sartus closed the distance, intercepting the man in the center of the room.
Prelate Arlong sartus said bowing as the man stopped
“What is it sartus why are you back earlier?'' arlong said, eyeing sartus as he brought his head back up from his bow.
Apologies prelate but King Lot has been murdered sartus said making eye contact with arlong his warry eyes showed no sign of surprise.
“And this caused you to break your contract.” arlong said face scowling the supplicants still surrounding him looking away.
My lord the king was murdered with something I have never seen. A great evil that was in opposition to the great divine he was murdered in broad daylight. Sartus said softer as his posture slouched slightly.
“The people will not be getting another storm unless they have coins for it. You will be to blame if they seek after their lost day.`` Arlong said.
“Apologies my lord but did you not hear me the king is dead.” sartus said louder
I heard you, Sartus, he said, shouting the sound echoing through the atrium.
Brother, do you believe that the great divine has all power and is in all things? Arlong said eyes locked on sartus.
You know I do with every fiber of my being
Then you know the great divine was aware of your murdered king. The king must not have been a true believer or he would have been saved. No evil can overcome the great divine. For in the first creation, he says I am the light and life. everything is created by my power and is done and undone in my name.
I know you are young and this is hard to understand but kings die. New ones take their place; it is trivial to worry about them. The great divine is eternal; he is true. We are his humble servants and do as he asks or have you forgotten? He said, raising a crusty eyebrow.
“I have not forgotten my sacred charge are we, not the tools for the great divine to protect his creation? Is it not better to serve the church by eliminating evil and protecting and teaching our fellow man?
You mean to tell me you know what is best for the church arlong said
No, I meant no disrespect sartus said lowering his head pride dissipating.
“Then let the leaders of the church lead. I will send your report to the high prelates I need you to take a look at a report of some bandits near the sacred woods. We are tools to be used by the great divine best to be of use brother” arlong said starting to make his way down the hall.
He had always been this way cold and unfeeling towards his fellow man sartus thought for a long time he had thought the burden of being a prelate had made him this way but he had met other prelates each with their unique personality. Still, he had thought they might have launched an inquiry team or a few supplicats to investigate the murder. Although the disappointment was hard to miss on his face it didn't matter. Arlong was already heading down the Hall of Enlightenment. He did as he was told heading towards the hall of chambers.
Arlong knew sartas would eventually become a problem just like his teacher before him. The man had put people before the church too many times and even started to question their doctrine. When the order had come down from the cardenal to kill Avlin arlong had been most pleased. Even now the look on Alvin's stupid face as he realized his death made arlong smile. If sartas wanted to pursue the same course he could. just imagining Sarta's face the image made him smile even more. All in good time he thought turning his attention back to his work.
Once at the hall of chambers, he reached the long circular staircase that led to the top of the spire. He couldn't shake this feeling that he failed somehow. If only he had been a little stronger or more knowledgeable then he could have saved Lot or at least identified the evil. Each step seemed slower and required more effort passing stained glass after stained glass. Until he reached the top of a small room with a window that overlooked the sacred forest to the north. A thin black line came out of the middle of the forest. Sartas ignited his Mana by sending the power down the path. instantly the power flowed throughout his body. The power-tingling heat surged from within his body like a blast furnace. Every fiber of his being vibrated with power as a small lightning arc around him. A light hum could be heard with small cracks
He could still remember the first time he had activated his mana from that moment on nothing had been the same. He looked carefully now where the smoke was billowing in the air and picked a point by the smoke a few hundred feet in the air. Kicking his foot into the floorboards and rubbing it against them. Surging the power he jumped blasting the power as soon as his feet left the floor. His body flashed forward in a bolt of lightning vigorously moving the distance between his point was covered instantly. The air blasted past him as he began to fall. Turning over in the air to look at the small fire he could see six electrical impulses. Three were crowded around the fire with three more a few feet away. The thunder alerted the men and they all began to look up.
Sartas focused the power in his right hand picking the campfire as his target and releasing a great bolt of lightning. The campfire exploded in a great blast of fire and lightning along with the three men standing close. Their bodies instantly vaporized in a blue and orange flash. The thunder shook all of the trees for miles Shrapnel whizzed away in every direction from the five-foot crater that was now where the campfire was. He then dashed down in another bolt of lightning landing right by the crater. He had already used half of his Mana with him being a gifted thunderbreaker having access to six bolts. Small figures around the zone of destruction began to look up as they all ducked down to the floor.
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Terror filled their eyes as they looked at sartas.
You have violated this sacred place and will pay for your transgressions. Sartus said his voice booming with the power still coursing through his body. The power altered his normal voice making it louder and changing the pitch
One of the bandits made eye contact as he kneeled he was dirty covered in tatter rags. A bit of scraggly white hair atop his head. I'm sorry sir we didn't know please don’t kill us. His eyes watering as all three men kneeled groveling on the ground. A small cart stood with a few deer that and been slain recently. The men must have gone hunting from a nearby now but everyone knew to enter the sacred forest was to spit in the face of the great devine.
Three have paid with their lives you will pay with your service to the church unless you want to test your luck sartas said
The carriages pulled into view with Richard quickly cursed at the carriages calling them a travesty on wheels. Colt supposed that they weren't quite up to the standard. he was used to. But after Barick had shoved him in the carriage it was the last he heard about it, he had ridden with Talon Kaitlin, and Orson who all remained silent during the ride all looking deep in thought. The carriage ride was a pleasant ride that lasted a few hours
Exiting the black carriage I saw the large wooden mansion with acres of green fields surrounding the building. The building was a large square building with two stories of fancy windows carved on the sides. In the center is a wide courtyard. A small staff of ten people stood waiting outside a few of them immediately grabbed the bags and equipment from the back. One of the men steps over to Talon.
Lord Talon welcome home I will say this is an improvement to the last establishment that we worked at.
Talon smiled yes Sigrid this is quite the improvement. Can your staff give the crew the tour? The conversation was abruptly stopped by a loud sigh of relief as Seph stretched herself out her arms thrown as high as they could go.
Her eyes looked towards Talon, and a look of excitement shot across her face. Talon I think it's a good time for a spar she shouted.
Richard turned back over from the position he had been in since getting out. He was watching the staff very closely with all of his belongings which took up most of the room in the carriage's luggage compartments.
My Dear lady, wouldn't some tea and refreshments be a better alternative after such a long trip?
Spar!, she shouted
Fine Talon said I was looking forward to testing out the courtyard and it would be good for you to watch Colt.
Within moments everyone had gone to the courtyard the space was a flat plane of orangish dirt a few fruit trees and rocks making a walking path that went over a small stream that went through the courtyard. All of the rooms' doors faced the courtyard. On the near side of the courtyard stood a few tables and chairs where most of them had congregated. Talon stood in the opening his dark cloak still covering his body his hood off. Seph stood on the other side her dirty white tunic and messy hair. All of the people started putting money on the table placing their wagers.
She raised a hand a rock the size of an apple a few feet next to her blasted forward whistling through the air as it hurled straight at Talon with an impressive speed. He raised his hand the rock shifted course flying past him a few feet smacking a wood pole and leaving a huge gouge in the wood. Talon smiled then shifted his gaze at the path. All of the rocks in the path started floating up in the air as if completely weightless. Seph started running towards the side as a few rocks stopped floating and slung through the air landing inches from her fleeing feet. One after another hit the ground leaving large puffs of dust forming small mushrooms. Seph tucked and rolled behind one of the trees then shot both of her hands down. With a blast of power, her body flew straight up in the air and then shot both hands toward the Talon. Talon's body jerked back towards the wall his cloak fluttering in the air all of the rocks that were floating dropped. Quickly gracefully talon rolled in the air regaining bringing his hands back towards the wall his body slowed. His hands then shot towards Seph's spot in the air. A large visible wave speared through the air from his hand. Seph noticing the wave as her body fell brought both her hands close together and released a wave of her own. Talon's wave crashed into hers making the whole building shake and then launching Seph flying into one of the doors on the other side of the courtyard. She hit the wood hard a grunt escaping her lips. Her eyes were bloodshot her forehead was now covered in beads of sweat.
“ What are those waves,” Colt asked aloud not aware.
Shifter users have three different methods of attack. The first is push and pull which you have seen on the rocks. Nothing can be seen but they are limited to something under the weight. Waves of power can be used to release a lot more power at once which can lift objects four or five times heavier. Barrack said not taking his eyes off the fight.
Seph sprouted a huge grin on her face as she glanced down three rocks floated up and then hurled through the air with great speed Talon raised a hand to his side his body flung to the opposite side as the three rocks clashed with the wood behind him embedding into it. Talon's body flipped then landed on the ground pulling his hand up and closing it in a fist as a group of rocks raised into the air.
Come on smack that Grin off his face Barrick shouted fist raised, the whole group looked to be cheering Seph on. Other than Richard who was nervously fiddling with his handkerchief
The rock's talon had floated in the air started spinning in the air then blasted in all different directions. Seph's eyes shifted eyeing the projectiles having a hard time keeping up with all the different directions. Then one by one they stopped their trajectory and flew straight at Seph. She jumped up slamming her legs down against the wood her body rocketed forward towards Talon as the rocks grazed around her body. Talon had already raised his hand where Seph was headed right in front of him. A wave slammed against the flying Seph as her body went from flying forward to straight up. The crash shook the building as a feeling of uneasiness took over. His body felt as if it was getting heavier than lighter the switch made him feel like he was going to hurl.
Talon then shot his hand up towards Seph as her body jerked from going up to down. Her body flew down then slowed right at the end making the impact lessen as she hit displacing the dirt in front of Talon.
You have gotten quite a bit better talon said looking down at Seph flat on her back the discomfort strewn across her face.
Beads of sweat dripped down Talon's face while he panted heavily.
She moaned slightly as she rose to her feet. A tired expression on her face her eyes bloodshot and a small amount of blood coming from her nose.
Did you need to be so rough heathen Richard yelled out his disapproving eyes glowering at Talon.
Talon put an arm on Seph's shoulder you need more endurance and control, he said examining her condition.
She folded her arms looking like a disgruntled child that hasn't gotten her way. Next time you're the one going to be flat on your back she said as a smile came back across her face.
Keep practicing and I will be talon said smiling then turning back towards Richard.
It seems to me that the fight was unfair and unsportsmanlike, Richard said still glowering at Talon.
“It was completely fair we both used the same power and we were on the same playing field with both of us not knowing the landscape. Between that and Orson making me itch the whole time I would say it was quite fair.”
Orson flashed a smile. I was hoping It was subtle enough for you not to notice.
Too much flare but that's always been your style talon said smiling then looking towards the rest of the group
“Sigrid will you see Seph here” Sigrid nodded. Come with me child he said both of them were going inside a room towards the front of the building.
Talon then turned towards Colt. Tonight we will begin your training in earnest as for now I'm headed to rest. I would recommend you do the same it might be a while before you can get a good night's rest.
Colt retired to his room; he didn't have anything to unpack; the only thing he had brought with him was the clothes that Talon had bought him. The room was small with only a bed, a dresser, and a nightstand. It looked more like a servant's quarters than a guest but Colt liked it better this way. Large open spaces gave him an unsettling feeling. However, this place also was a little unsettling. It might have been the fact that there wasn't a window or any other means of escape other than the front door. Over the years he had slept in a lot worse places so he was grateful to see a bed. Plopping down on the bed his body didn't send any searing pain up his body. The fight had been amazing as he kept replaying the events over and over in his mind until his eyes closed shut.