The Wild Sect’s base within First Rite, whilst irrefutably quite the tower, was nothing in Elmore’s mind but a cheaply made rendition of the masterclass in arboreal architecture that was the clan’s headquarters in Hybrid.
In that not-so-distant city of their ruling, aside of course from the ancient castle that Hybrid’s reigning monarchs inhabited, their base in their territory was a sprawling tree, larger still than the cliffside the runaway Death-Marked had descended earlier that day. However inferior, Ruling’s version was nevertheless one of the coveted spirals of the tremendously wealthy district, and money alone was enough to buy a certain level of quality, regardless of whether the people constructing those towers bore hatred for their occupants or not. Like The Wild god, Chantal, both this base Elmore and Ash were heading towards and the more naturalistic build in Hybrid had a design of quartered sections, each representing a turning of the seasons. In Ruling, this was accomplished via stretches of wood like clinging hands offering different shades of leaves, or varying quality of the wood for the different forces of weather that struck down on the land, depending on the time of year. Whereas, back where the bulk of Elmore’s family stayed, the tree reflected the same general concept in a much more momentous form, given the sheer colossal size of the towering oak.
Perhaps the fact that the Mark on his back depicted the wooden expanse was a factor as to why he felt such a tight-knitted connection to the building; it was literally imprinted onto his body. But regardless of if it was the original or not, the tower before him was still home to Elmore, and the looming sight of it was a comfort. As if within those walls, mother nature herself would be protecting him.
“Does your training routine involve scaling these stairs?” Ash gasped for air, as they strolled up what felt like the millionth flight upon entry.
“No, but don’t give me any ideas for our next outing.” Elmore allowed a smile. And why shouldn’t he smile? Juniper herself was seeking assistance from him. Wait until his mother and father heard about this, they’d act like he was this world’s saviour.
At last, they were stationed at the spire’s apex. Up ahead, a canopy of gathered leaves could be seen, with a few tweeting birds flapping through its expansive boughs. A wall made entirely of glass jutted up a few feet ahead, extending to just below where the tangle of branches began. Curtains were currently draped open on each side, leaving the sight of Juniper right ahead in plain view, seated regally on a chair of impressive size. She appeared to say something to her appointed guards — an esteemed position Elmore was hoping to gain the experience for via his prison guard duties — and she beckoned them forward with a polite wave of the hand in her own direction.
Keeping a watchful eye on his cousin to make sure he wouldn’t act up, Elmore lowered himself to a humble, kneeling bow. “At your service, my liege. Ash here informed me that you may require my presence for some kind of task, is that correct?”
“It is indeed.” The woman smiled down at him, delicate, light makeup discreetly lighting up her features. “Apologies for demanding your withdrawal from the tournament Elmore, I hope it doesn’t discourage you from participating next year. On brighter topics, I anticipate you completing your Bank’s mould any day now. And then we’ll have another promising Foot-Soldier in our midst.”
Elmore flustered at the kind words. He recalled well the day Chantal appeared to him in a dream, showing him visages of woodlands growing and burning — the cycle of nature fulfilling its never-ending journey, only to embark on it all over again. He recalled the spark of power that had rushed into his chest from the goddess’ fingertips after his rapid acceptance; the first taste of Infinity to spring his lifelong addiction. It had been an obvious offer from Chantal: to either remain eternally as an Emblazed, or risk the heights of power that came with ascending the Divine Ranks. How anyone felt content with reaching Emblazed in early adulthood, and simply living out the rest of their days restricted at that Rank, was an absurd thought for Elmore to understand.
“What Boundless Vault, may I ask, are you cultivating?” Juniper asked with a pleasant curve of the lips.
Inwardly, Elmore could sense the winding tubes of Infinity superimposed over his internal organs. The majority of the colourless tunnels arrived around his Mark, with only an unfinished minority ending abruptly. As of present, the network was incomplete, in the initial stages where it could only be referred to as a Boundless Bank. Alas, the advent of acquiring a Boundless Vault — the term for the complete form — was still a ways off.
“Exuberant Patronage.” Elmore answered. “I believe it would be best to prioritise maximising the potential of my Mark. Should assist with future plans I have in mind.”
Bank-sculpting was the primary task-at-hand for any Emblazed trying to ascend to Foot-Soldier. When the subject’s goddess or god bestowed them with the initial speck of Infinity, it manifested as little more than a dot behind the naval. Only the arduous, repeated gathering of Infinity allowed one to slowly build the Bank ‘mould ’ — or Vault — of their choice, by directing the all-encompassing resource in a certain pattern. Each Vault variety had special advantages and disadvantages that came with the mould in question, and Elmore had scrutinised each, assessing them endlessly compared to one another. The Stone Crusher Vault for example, would be far too raw power oriented for a soldier desiring to make speedy escapes from their enemies.
“Seems you selected the same mould I had at your Rank.” The God-Graced observed him with a strange look. “Was that a coincidence?”
Elmore concealed an awkward cough. “Yes, I’d say it is. Though perhaps I was admittedly influenced by your personal skillset. I have a similar path mapped out for myself.”
“Well, whatever the case, be sure to continue working away at it diligently.”
He kneeled deeper. “Yes ma’am.”
Even as they spoke, Elmore was in the process of collecting in Infinity. The resource was to be found everywhere, and could thus be absorbed passively if one ingrained the technique of doing so so deep into their memory, that it became second-nature.
“Now then, back to the matter at hand.” Juniper properly began, and Elmore straightened himself ever-so-slightly. “As you know, much of the sect is either busy at the inter-sect tournament, or other official business caused by the Day of Descension.”
Elmore nodded.
“I’m sure you’re also aware of First Rite’s latest two escapees.”
“Yes . . .” Elmore began reluctantly, his excitement dampened somewhat. This had most definitely not been what he’d expected. “Remus and Chaos Sect girl.”
Juniper nodded. “Violet. You see Elmore, due to the lack of on-hand clansmen, we thought you may be the best pick for retrieving the two. I and a few other sect leaders were discussing the matter at a conference, and seeing how you were Remus’ guard at the time, you may feel as though he is your responsibility. I would not wish to inhibit that rightful desire.”
He felt no such thing. Elmore had barely registered the guy’s existence in the two days he was imprisoned, and even with Tal, whom he’d been overseeing for entire Passings at this point, he hadn’t harboured any feelings of responsibility in the slightest. But he wasn’t about to tell Juniper that.
“I’ll gladly accept the privilege, my liege. Thank you for offering this opportunity, but, before I go, there’s one last thing I must bring to your attention. A matter that I believe could have some catastrophic outcomes.”
The woman actually seemed troubled, and over his shoulder, Elmore could even see Ash shooting him an intrigued glance in his peripherals. “What is it? Please, go on.”
“Before arriving here, my guarding duties required me to interrogate Tal about what exactly happened between him and Remus, before the boy escaped. A tax-collector from the Wealth Sect, Damosh, I believe his name was, seemed especially interested in the case; requesting to assist in the interrogation.”
The God-Graced’s temporary worry subsided behind a mien of stoic understanding.
“When things didn’t turn out how he planned, after I left, I think I overhead Damosh . . . I think I overheard him killing the man.”
Still, Juniper appeared perfectly composed. She didn’t even rustle at the urgency of his next words.
“But how is that possible? Doesn’t that go against the Moratorium Pact? How could he fight on Divine Ground? How could he kill?”
The last word came out as a shrill mutter, as if Elmore couldn’t quite believe it himself.
“ . . . there’s another Oath,” Juniper spoke with obvious hesitance. “Other than the Righteous Oath, or the Moratorium Pact. A third that’s not exactly hidden per se, but not eagerly revealed either. It's the Elimination Act.”
“Elimination Act?” The words sounded repulsive just lingering on his tongue for a second.
“It reads that, while some of the details aren’t exactly well defined, that if someone has committed a crime, regardless of whether on Divine Ground, or not, that you can attack them. It was used more often in humanity’s early stages, when times were more barbaric, and the current judicial system most cities abide by was only a speck of potential in the imaginations of the truly wise. Though that being said, they’re not exactly civil now.”
“What counts as a crime then?” Ash piped up, and Elmore had almost forgotten his cousin wasn’t a dormant mannequin. Perhaps he shouldn’t have brought the topic up with Ash in the room, but alas, it wasn’t as if he could ‘undo’ the last five minutes.
“That’s one of the key complaints addressed with the Act: it's not defined.”
Elmore said nothing, mentally putting two and two together. “So, by that description, if you went as far as offended those in place of ruling a settlement, it could be twisted as breaking some undefined law? Punishing virtually anyone they wished to?”
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“Unfortunately yes.” Juniper admitted. “It's a power I do my best not to manipulate in Hybrid, but what worries me most is that it can be abused by almost anyone in a place of power. You see, if this text was referring to laws before laws were rigidly set, it could have been made to refer to the codes of individual sects, which were what dictated what could and could not be done centuries ago.”
Elmore had to fight to concentrate. He was simultaneously so immersed in the woman’s words, that the rest of reality had waned into something approaching an afterthought, and yet at the same time, found that with each world-shattering revelation, he had to struggle desperately to decipher the deeper meaning. The deeper consequences; the impacts this would cast upon the political world.
Her continuing so unflinchingly didn’t assist him in this matter in the slightest. In fact, it fanned the flames of an oncoming headache. “You see, I’m actually quite glad that you brought this to my attention, for I do believe this has something to do with Violet herself. We sent a Mercenary-Ranked from the Sight Clan to investigate the Chaos manor, just to be sure nothing peculiar was going on. She says her proficiency in the Sight subject of power is so mastered that she can see, or more likely sense, changes in Infinity. ”
Out of everything, Elmore almost struggled to comprehend that the most. “A Mercenary Ranked? What, is she retired?”
Mercenary was one of the three Splintered Ranks, the one Elmore himself was set upon achieving, right above Foot-Soldier but below the likes of Warlord. Altogether, the nitty gritty of that trio of advancements was quite complicated, and so his brain didn’t dawdle on the thought of them for too long, lest his over-clogged mind combusted trying to keep up with it all.
“She very well could be if she desired, but when you’re that strong, most of the Splintered Ranks and above desire to stay. After all, in the constant heat of fiery combat is most likely where you’ll grow stronger, and the best place that is absolutely brimming with all sorts of demanding situations is the front lines.” Juniper explained, her almost jet eyes of sapphire blue seeming to pierce through the layers of Elmore’s chiselled muscle and flesh, jutting into the tender soul that lay beneath it all. “Anyhow, this Mercenary was in the city for the Descension, and kindly met the council, who collectively requested her to see if anything strange was afoot in the Chaos Sect’s base of operations. Graciously, she accepted.”
It was Ash’s turn to have his face scrunched up in perplexion. “Council?”
The God-Graced turned to Elmore’s cousin with a look of understanding. “Oh right, forgive the confusion. You’re not of age to participate, are you?”
Elmore knew the God-Graced wasn’t trying to be patronising, but Ash’s trembling lip failed to conceal his upset.
“One of the perks of Ruling is that the top five get a lot of the say in what occurs in First Rite. Other sects may be able to contribute their requests and complaints at yearly gatherings, but our opinions hold the most weight, as we, in Damosh’s eyes at least, provide the most for the city. A little . . .'' Elmore wasn’t sure how much he could say in front of Juniper. “ . . . Twisted, in my opinion. But once you turn sixteen, you might be randomly selected to represent the clan. I myself am yet to be picked.”
“Well explained Elmore.” Juniper nodded along, before Ash could state his grievances at finding out the ugly truth behind First Rite’s management. “Now, before we get sidetracked for the third time, I must insist you let me finish without interruption.”
Now Elmore couldn’t tell if she was purposely being patronising or not.
“So this inspector examined the mansion in full, though due to the structure of the place, it was compulsory that she had a Chaos Sect Ambassador at her side. Those people manoeuvre through their home via distorting the passages, you see, to guide them in the direction they desire. Sight, whilst undoubtedly powerful in many utilities, has no such capability. Because of this needed guidance, many of the council was concerned that the results of our investigation may be skewered. Fortunately, they stumbled onto something most interesting.
“In Nova’s throne room, our investigator picked up an unusual imprint of Infinity. Apparently, usage of Infinity leaves detectable signs of it’s happening that can be identified, if you possess the needed abilities, that is. According to her, there was an eruption of the ethereal stuff leaving unperceivable trails across practically every surface in the room — a residue of sorts, if that analogy helps you picture it. What do you think could have caused such an eruption of Infinity?”
Her head tilted towards the cousins in prompt.
“A fight would be the obvious response, would it not? Between someone of Foot-Soldier or higher.” Even as Elmore said the words, he was beginning to understand. For now, he held his tongue.
“Good. But not only a fight, for the room seemed stitched together by Infinity, according to our investigator’s accounts.”
“So . . . they rebuilt the room after the destruction?” Ash commented, and Elmore himself thought the train of thought to be quite reasonable in its assessment.
One word, and that notion deflated. “No. Chaos energy is powerful as all the wrath of the underworld, but it has one major flaw, besides a few other minor shortcomings. It cannot create. Chaos can only destroy or distort.”
Elmore let that sink in, and yet, regardless of what he thought before, still didn’t quite understand. Ash’s placid look read as him feeling quite the same way.
“When compared with descriptions and eye-witness accounts of the throne room prior to Violet’s escape, all describe it as slightly, very subtly different to what can now be found in its stead. The clock is etched out of a different wood; the carpet a shade several types deeper than its previous, and an array of other, all minute alterations far too multitudinous to name. The point is, I believe Nova, for whatever reason, got so furious at Violet that he twisted the ancient code of his clan, set how many centuries ago, to befit his needs. Then, miraculously, when the girl escaped, they patched the evidence as best they could.”
It was an awful lot to consider, but Elmore was finally beginning to piece it all together. “I think . . . I think I understand. This Chaos Sect is making great waves in their native city, in Hell’s Floor, and some theorise it to be in for the running of the crown. Maybe this is all connected to that? Could the girl have done something to threaten their odds?”
“Possibly.” Juniper frowned in the regal way only those in a place of power can. It was as if she was vexed at the world itself for not submitting the information she craved. “All the more reason to track her down. If they ever do grow to rule, we need all the information on the clan as we can get. A competitor is a competitor after all. And this Violet girl is likely afraid. Afraid, and therefore susceptible. We can offer that helping hand in the dark that she needs now more than ever, in exchange for . . . information. She’d be a fool to refuse the offer.”
“And if she does?” Ash dared to pose the question.
“Well then,” Juniper’s features suddenly became the portrait of all her divine power. “That would be a dark day for her indeed.”
The two cousins said no more, a notion to not explore the topic anymore bizarrely passing between them without the need of words.
“Now then!” The God-Graced clapped her hands merrily in a stretching smile. “I’m sure I can count on you three to help locate Violet, am I correct? And though it has slipped my mind, the council is in almost equal demand for Remus. Apparently he angered both the Wealth and Sight Clan in the span of a few days, though I am sure hatreds have been brewing for many a Passing longer than that.”
“Of course I’d accept, your highness,” Elmore used the title she was known as in Hybrid, doing his best to format his subsequent complaint as politely as possible. “But, forgive me for this next comment, I have trouble understanding why my cousin must be brought alongside me, for training or not. Does it not seem like a waste of time and resources? Would it not be more efficient to have someone else carry out the boy’s training, instead of possibly slowing down our trail on the fleeing? It is merely a suggestion to consider, of course.”
Ash’s mouth became agape in unconcealed offence. “Hey!” Within seconds of saying it, the boy seemed to realise the setting he was in, and for once in his life, demonstrated his possession of at least sub-standard intelligence, and shut his mouth.
“Settle down, both of you.” Juniper exhaled with lowered eyelids. “Elmore, you are undeniably a great upcoming talent in our clan — if it were not so, I never would have commissioned you with this task in the first place — but that talent runs deep into your very bloodline, and it would be an unprecedented shame to put that to waste. Ash, excuse the unintended jab, has advanced from Enkindled to Emblazed faster than even you have my dear, and the most effort he puts in is merely showing up for his training sessions.”
“When it suits him . . .” Elmore murmured.
“Think of what potential he could tap into if he gave it his all. You need to be the motivating figure in his life to make him want to train until his body is exhausted, to tap into his Mark at any given opportunity. And, now that he is soon to receive his vision, to mould his Vault alongside you to the best of his ability.”
How Ash would ever bring himself to accept Chantal’s offer of power was a question Elmore couldn’t help but find vastly amusing. It was sometimes blissfully easy to forget that his annoying younger cousin was of equal Rank to him, regardless of how close to the next stage of power either of them were. Elmore had cut his teeth, sacrificed hundreds of hours of his time, and suffered immensely to get to where he was today. But his cousin? No skill in his soul, merely leaching off his inherited talent that if in Elmore’s hands . . . Well, if you could advance that easily, Elmore would already be a god by now. He would be standing among the pillars of heaven themselves, not in this copycat tower.
All that dormant aptitude put to waste was tortuous to watch. Ash was innocuously unaware of what some would do to be in his position. The prospect of it stirred some festering feeling within Elmore; a brewing chemical reaction in the pathways of his mind seeping him in — seeping him in-
“We are not growing envious, are we Elmore?” Juniper’s words cut cold, and Elmore couldn’t conceal his gall at the words any longer.
He spoke in the shrill, unbelieving words of the guilty. “Envious? Me? Of Ash? Of this usurping, undeser-”
The parts of him not particularly fancying being incinerated on the spot shut his mouth for him. “Apologies.” He found himself spewing at Ash’s disbelieving expression, and Juniper’s shallow indifference. “Forgi-”
“Exactly what I mean here, Elmore.” She scowled at him deeply, as if actually pained. “You have so much potential yourself. I beg of you, do not let it be put to waste by the volume of someone else’s.”
“Yes ma’am,” Elmore rubbed his arm and cocked his head like a chided schoolboy. “I’m sorry. I’ll bring Remus and Violet back alive, I swear it to you.”
A jovial air had returned to the woman. “Music to my ears indeed. Now, I do believe it is an apt time for a family reunion.”
Both of them looked at the God-Graced with squinting eyes. “Family reunion?”
There was a shuffling off to the side, as a familiar figure entered into view. Elmore almost didn’t recognise the rather ordinary-looking boy for a moment, and when he did, he had to consult Ash’s expression for confirmation. His cousin for once, appeared to be at a loss for words.
Juniper continued, undeterred. “I thought it a great shame that his blood would be wasted in our base in Hybrid. A terrible mistake that the high-ups decided to keep him there, away from you two. An oversight from me that I’ll have to ask you to forgive.”
The figure's short dark hair was much neater than his brother’s. He was noticeably shorter than Ash as well, given the year gap, and held his hands behind him sheepishly; looking to the side like he couldn’t quite decide if he wanted to be there or not.
“I do not wish to prolong your journey any more than necessary, but I thought this may be a good bonding experience for you all to reunite, especially after so long apart. How long has it been again?”
Elmore only barely managed to stifle a choke. “Five Rebirths.”
Juniper placed a palm in front of where her heart would be. “How I ache for you. I have plans to supply the boy with the second chance I always knew he deserved; he will be under your guidance Elmore, alongside Ash. So please, will you take both of your cousins with you? You would be doing our sect a great favour, and I hold those who uphold our clan in the highest regard.”
“Of . . . Of course.”
Ash didn’t appear to have been taking in the conversation. He only stared, unbelievingly, at the boy shifting gawkily in the corner, a tremulous word departing from the port of his own lips. “Koa?”