[center][b]Part 3[/b][/center] [color=#fd5e53]“Dark Somnians…”[/color] Yalen gasped. Cardinal Verus was correct. Their reputation preceded them, and it was not a positive one. He had only seen them in person during important religious holidays which demanded mandatory attendance from the orders. They were viewed as reckless insurgents rather than justicars. Many assassinations and serial killings were pinned on the actions of the Dark Somnians, and unlike the Black Rezaindians they appeared far more willing to turn on other members of the clergy if their creed demanded it. [color=#fe2a74]“You sound afraid of us Brother Castel.”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“And why wouldn’t he be? The church has been filling his head with lies before he could even walk.”[/color] [color=#fd5e53]“That’s enough. I-I think I should leave now.”[/color] Yalen attempted to get up and exit the room… [color=#6c91a3]“SIT.”[/color] …but his body would no longer obey him. Verus lifted himself into the air and took a seat on the table in front of Yalen. Being so close like this, Yalen could smell the sachet of herbs hidden underneath his elder’s clothes. [color=#6c91a3]“Come now, are you really going to crawl back and submit yourself to their kangaroo court? There is no penance awaiting you Yalen. You saw firsthand how ready they were to cut you down to reach Jocasta. If they identify you as one of her allies then your journey will end on the gallows. I’m sure they’ll make a nice speech about you repenting in the next life.”[/color] Verus was wracked with another coughing fit. [color=#6c91a3]“You should join our cause. We’ll give you a purpose again. Trust me, no one is as loyal to Dami as we are. The public fears us because our desire to protect mankind often drives us to violence, but make no mistake. We are NOT careless murderers. Unlike those Rezaindians, death is just one tool among many that we use to enforce our god’s laws. Just like you, we only wish to do what is right.”[/color] [color=#fe2a74]“Even if the entire world despises us.”[/color] [color=#fd5e53]“Why? Why do you want me?”[/color] Yalen demanded. [color=#6c91a3]”We have had our eyes on you for a while, Yalen. We know what motivates you. If anyone can be trusted with the authority to pass judgment on others, it is someone like you who has no interest in acquiring power for personal gain. Your ability to love the enemy stems from an open mind, one that is able to look past your own preconceptions and listen to both sides. To us, you are more valuable than any gifted prodigy.”[/color] [color=#fe2a74]“He still hasn’t tried to summon his friends to rescue him.”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“Of course not. After all, this is a man who would even lend an ear to the Traveler, our most hated enemy of all.”[/color] [color=#fd5e53]“!!!”[/color] [color=#fe2a74]“He has gone pale your eminence.”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“Oh. Don’t be alarmed. We are not omniscient. We just have agents in the refuges who help us keep tabs on things. Jocasta Re’s sudden appearance caught us completely off guard, trust me. We had each of you tailed in case you were her fellow assassins. That is how we caught wind of the Traveler’s presence… though she became wary of us and escaped.”[/color] [color=#fe2a74]“We’re glad you didn’t let her words lead you astray.”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“Truly commendable. Unfortunately, the Traveler is not the only false prophet in this world. We have enemies all around us. Corruption within the church is at an all time high, and its disastrous mismanagement has allowed an unknown power to steal our most secretive magics. Futhermore, Hugo Hunghorasz-”[/color] [color=#fd5e53]“What madness am I hearing! You would point your fingers at the paradigm!? He is the one who had us save the refuge in Torragon to begin with!”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“Do NOT be so quick to trust that man. You do not understand the extent of the magic that he wields… When someone becomes as powerful as Hugo, they begin to grow distant from humanity. He cannot be trusted to have our best interests at heart forever.”[/color] [color=#fe2a74]“Especially since he is obsessed with your girlfriend.”[/color] [color=#fd5e53]“What?”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“Gloria, be professional.”[/color] The cardinal growled. [color=#6c91a3]“As Sister Graziano says, there is a connection between Hugo and Jocasta. He has been following her closely ever since becoming aware of her existence. Of all the magic users in the world, her power is the only one to surpass his in raw potential. He may mean to have her captured or killed so that none may challenge his superiority.”[/color] [color=#fd5e53]“That can’t be…”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“It is common sense for someone in his position. Think about it. If he decided to turn back time so none of us were born, she is one of the few individuals with the knowledge and strength necessary to challenge him.”[/color] [color=#fe2a74]“He may have done it once already.”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“Stop interrupting me Gloria.”[/color] Cardinal Verus admonished. Gloria’s mouth clamped shut. [color=#6c91a3]“That is just a wild theory. The man has grown so old now. If he was capable of such godlike feats, it begs the question of why he hasn’t already turned back the clock. Regardless, Jocasta is most certainly a threat to his existence. He cannot ignore her as long as there is a small chance she could be ordered to assassinate him.”[/color] [color=#fd5e53]“She’s not like that anymore. Jocasta has changed!”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“But of course. You and your friends have made sure of that, haven’t you? I am just giving you an outside view on things…”[/color] Verus sighed and collapsed back into his chair. [color=#6c91a3]“In any case, the paradigm is not our chief concern. We are more worried about hostile forces working within Ersand’Enise. If only that damned Matthew hadn’t jumped the gun…”[/color] [color=#fd5e53]“Matthew?”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“Brother Wolf. That misguided fool. I tried to earn his loyalty, but he was always the Optimate’s lapdog. If he hadn’t jumped the gun, we could have used Jocasta Re to lure out an even greater threat to stability. The league of assassins that she-”[/color] [color=#fd5e53]“Wait! The Afortunado? What makes them so important?”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“No, no. Not the Afortunado. Jocasta hasn’t told you everything, has she? The acts she committed as an Afortunado were indeed worthy of condemnation, but we were not aware of her existence then.”[/color] Sister Graziano looked like she was going to explode if she kept silent any longer. The cardinal reluctantly gestured for her to speak. [color=#fe2a74]“I was spying on Brother Ash when he confronted you. The accusations he made against Jocasta were not related to the Afortunado like you believe. Your understanding of the bigger picture is still incomplete.”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“They call themselves the Volti. They are an international terrorist cell. Their origins are unknown. Their identities are a blank slate. Above all, their reach appears to be limitless. We do not know who they work for or where they get their funding from. As usual we suspect the Traveler, but there is no evidence linking her to the organization. We had no proof that Jocasta Re was a member either… but we gathered enough anecdotal evidence to try and pursue a connection. The delegation from Varennes planned to torture a confession out of her before putting her to the guillotine. And they say our methods are heartless.”[/color] [color=#fe2a74]“We think they were behind the plot to assassinate the throne holders.”[/color] [color=#fd5e53]“The five kings? No! Does that mean Jo was involved?”[/color] [color=#fe2a74]“Involved? It’s impossible to know. The Volti operate behind a veil of anonymity. They wear masks and obscure their voices whenever possible. She could have been there, or not. You would have to get her to talk, and that’s assuming that she is who we think she is.”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“We cannot stress how important Jocasta Re is. The secrets in Matthew’s head were priceless. If the Volti were the ones to sink their claws into him, then they have now become a threat to the entire world. Our best and only hope of pinning them down is by following Jocasta Re. Even if she isn’t Volti, her power makes her a prime candidate for recruitment. She MUST be protected.”[/color] [color=#fd5e53]“Please, wait a minute. This is just too much for me to process all at once.”[/color] Yalen pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. These people were essentially telling him that he’s had his head buried in the sand and that his love interest may or may not be a wanted terrorist. [color=#6c91a3]“I’m sorry we’ve burdened you with so much information Yalen. But, surely you have seen the signs around you. We are offering you a chance to redeem your honor and discover the truth.”[/color] [color=#fd5e53][i]I suspected there was more to her than just the Afortunado, but I can’t believe everything I hear. Still, he is a cardinal of the Somnian order…casting doubt on him says more about myself than his eminence.[/i][/color] [color=#fd5e53]“Even if she isn’t a Volti, she has still done some regrettable things. Whether the Volti are defeated or not, I want to know what you plan to do with her.”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“After we started suspecting her of being Volti, we looked into the Afortunado case. I must say, the girl would make a fine member of our order.”[/color] [color=#fe2a74]“Nothing but murderers and rapists!”[/color] Gloria gagged. [color=#fe2a74]“I would have killed them myself if I had the chance!”[/color] Her impertinence earned her a pinch on the ear from the cardinal. [color=#6c91a3]“I would offer to help her lay low, but she seems… distrustful of the church, especially given today’s events. Regardless, I promise that we mean her no harm. I cannot say the same for the rest of the Holy See. We can delay their actions, but they will inevitably strike at her again. That is why we need you to be with her as much as possible.”[/color] [color=#fe2a74]Though, you were planning to do that anyways, weren’t you?”[/color] Gloria beamed. Despite the gravity of the situation, Yalen’s face was red like a tomato. He did not know Sister Graziano until today, but he definitely did not like her. She might be friendly, but her teasing put Zarina to shame. [color=#6c91a3]“You’ve been very helpful today Gloria. However, I’d like you to STOP TALKING for a minute.”[/color] The sound of the cardinal’s command sent Gloria into a dead silence. She looked at him with tears in her eyes and pouted in her chair. [color=#6c91a3]“Yalen, we have discovered much, but the puzzle is not yet completed. The fate of the world is at stake and we are running out of time. You and your friends could be the key to unlocking the entire mystery. I must ask you again, will you join the Dark Somnians? We cannot assist you without your oath of fealty.”[/color] Yalen bit his thumbnail as he seriously considered the offer from his superior. It wasn’t like he wished to die. He just didn’t know how else he could make up for the atrocity that he felt responsible for. He hadn’t just disgraced his own order, he took up arms against the priesthood. The cardinal’s offer was likely the only way he would be able to remain in service of the Pentad. The only other fate that awaited him was death, or at least permanent excommunication. Neither option appealed to him when there were still lives he could protect. [color=#fd5e53]“These Volti… are you asking me to kill them?”[/color] Yalen whispered. [color=#6c91a3]“I am asking you to [b]bring them to justice[/b], no matter the cost. What that means is entirely up to you and Dami’s will.”[/color] [color=#fd5e53]“And if we succeed in stopping them?”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“The Volti are just the beginning Yalen. We will always have an enemy in the Traveler, and the world is full of evils besides. Our work will never be done.”[/color] [color=#fd5e53]“You seem to know much about the evils plaguing this world.”[/color] Yalen declared as he stood from his chair. [color=#fd5e53]“I admit, I am ashamed of my own ignorance up until now.”[/color] He bowed before the cardinal until his back was parallel to the floor. [color=#fd5e53]“Your eminence, I feel I cannot sit on the side lines any longer. Not while my friends continue to fight their own battles. If I must stain myself black in order to uproot evil then so be it. I will become a Dark Somnian.”[/color] Verus wordlessly wrapped his arms around Yalen’s waist and pulled him into a hug. The unexpected display of affection was a shock that left him standing there foolishly staring at the wall. [color=#6c91a3]“Dami be praised! Dami be praised! Dami be-”[/color] Cardinal Verus entered another coughing fit that sent him collapsing to the floor. Gloria was almost too late teleporting from her chair in order to catch him. She massaged his chest with a circular motion and waited for his eminence to calm down. [color=#6c91a3]“Huff. Huff. My apologies. It is rare for us to add a new member to our ranks. We have many friends, but even more enemies. Recruiting in secret like this is all we can manage.”[/color] [color=#fe2a74]“Mmm!”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“What is it Gloria? You may speak now.”[/color] [color=#fe2a74]“We should give Brother Castel his welcoming presents now.”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“Ah, well said. I will let you do the honors first.”[/color] Yalen felt a spike of energy from Gloria before his clothes started to twist and stretch. The sensation gave him goosebumps. His holy vestments gradually changed their color and shape before his very eyes. White faded to dark gray. Gold embroidery was transmuted to silver. His outfit which had become ill fitting in light of his recent growth sat comfortably on his skin once more. However, the look he was presented with was confusingly familiar. [color=#fd5e53]“I am… a High Somnian?”[/color] Yalen tugged as his collar. [color=#6c91a3]“We find that operating in plain sight is the simplest way for us to avoid trouble. It has become difficult for us to publicly present ourselves, and so our official vestments have taken on a more ceremonial role. We plant agents like you in an order that suits their mission and gather reports from them on a weekly basis. Brother Pierce will help initiate you into the High Somnian brotherhood. You will learn their ways and perform the appropriate duties, but your loyalty ultimately lies with us. Understand?”[/color] [color=#fd5e53]“Yes, your eminence.”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“Good. Give me your hand once more, if you please.”[/color] Yalen allowed the cardinal to take his hand and examine it. His gnarled fingers brushed across the ring he made out of Rita’s snail shell. It was one of his most heartfelt treasures. [color=#6c91a3]“This feels handmade. Excellent. A sentimental attachment will make the enchantment even stronger.”[/color] [color=#fd5e53][i]Enchantment?[/i][/color] Yalen thought. He then felt a sting in his finger, causing him to cry out in pain. [color=#fd5e53]“Ow!”[/color] Yalen’s ring finger was covered in his own blood. The cardinal had forced the skin to split open. [color=#6c91a3]“Do not struggle! This will only help you. Believe me.”[/color] Verus squeezed his hands tightly around Yalen’s finger, and then he felt it. His ring became warm, and warmer still, until it grew unbearably hot. He was not used to such pain and involuntarily tried to pull his hand away, but Gloria was standing behind him to keep him steady. He bit down on his free hand and prayed for the pain to end quickly. And it did, eventually. Yalen could practically see the red mist rising from his hand as Verus released his grip. The ivory colored ring was now stained a deep red, and even when the enchantment was complete it still felt warm to the touch. [color=#fd5e53]“What does it do?”[/color] Yalen asked while admiring the cardinal’s handiwork. [color=#6c91a3]“I’ll show you. Close your eyes.”[/color] Yalen did so. [color=#6c91a3]“Now… I want you to imagine the person connected to that ring. Focus on them at the expense of everything else. What do they look like? How do you feel about them?”[/color] [color=ec008c][i]Mista Yaweeeen! Hee hee![/i][/color] [color=#fd5e53][i]Of course, how could I have been so stupid? I can’t disappear yet. There are still people out there who couldn’t do without me. I owe it to them to stay alive for as long as possible. I’ll make this world a better place for their sake.[/i][/color] Yalen fondly remembered Rita’s cute round face and mismatched teeth. He remembered how much she loved to swim in the river, and how she hated studying arithmetic. Her capacity to enjoy life in spite of the hardships she’d faced was incredible. She was an example he felt compelled to follow as her guardian. As long as she had hope for the future, so would he. [color=#fd5e53][i]Something feels amiss.[/i][/color] Yalen’s eyes fluttered open to see what the cause for his anxiety was. What he saw next shocked him. Gloria was pushing an aberration into his chest. [color=#fd5e53]“What are you doing!?”[/color] Yalen shouted. He tried to get away from her, but he was being held in place by powerful magic. He’d been betrayed! [color=#fd5e53]“Get that thing away from me!”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“This is your first lesson in the real world. We are pulling the wool off of your head and showing you the truth.”[/color] Cardinal Verus calmly explained. [color=#6c91a3]“You have been told that the aberrations are unholy and should be avoided at all costs. The truth is, you were indoctrinated into believing that lie as a form of control.”[/color] [color=#fd5e53]“C-control!?”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“Yes. If every person’s first instinct was to absorb an aberration the moment they laid eyes on one, it would cause absolute chaos. Some would succumb to the madness and die. Others would gain a hold of it and grow stronger than before. The former is dangerous of course, but the latter is what we fear most. Not everyone is like you, Yalen. They cannot be trusted with power lest they abuse it for selfish reasons. We had to slow the spread somehow.”[/color] [color=#fe2a74]“You, like us, are different. You are not interested in strength for its own sake. You have always wielded your gifts to protect others.”[/color] Gloria added. The surge of manas was the same as the time in the Dune Sea, but something was missing. Yalen felt his energy capacity grow, but the madness that consumed him before was no longer present. [color=#6c91a3]“It’s that ring. If you meditate on it while absorbing the energy of the void, it can protect you from its harmful effects. Even still, I would not overdo it. We still don’t fully understand the nature of these aberrations.”[/color] [color=#fd5e53]“What are they? Truly?”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“I’m sorry, we lack the means to understand them completely. Our order has only just begun to utilize them in a useful capacity. What we do know is that they have a connection with a dimension different from our own, and they can be created using specific applications of temporal or dark magic. The mechanism by which they operate is a mystery, though the Traveler might have discovered something we have not. I just want you to know this: as long as you treat aberrations with care and respect, you can safely use them to bring your strength to new heights. Many of your friends already have.”[/color] [color=#fd5e53][i]Damn it all. How could I be so stupid?[/i][/color] Even in his head, Yalen almost never swore. He felt like he had been left behind while his friends were running off to save the world without him. What else did he not know? [color=#fd5e53]“I appreciate the gift, but if my manas continue to grow then my hourglass will only grow shorter...”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“Perhaps, but your lifespan isn’t as short as you think it is. Trust me, you will need more magic if you are to overcome the challenges that lay ahead of you. Aberrations are simply a tool to get you there.”[/color] [color=#fd5e53]“As you say, your eminence. I will take your words to heart. Will there be anything further?”[/color] [color=#6c91a3]“For tonight you are free to go. We will call on you when it is time. You should consider using the Trials as an opportunity to gather weapons and arm yourself. The end of the school year will also be a good opportunity to learn a combat skill or two. Maybe you should ask Captain D’aureville to teach you.”[/color] [color=#fe2a74]“Don’t worry about spilling the beans or anything. She’s been working for us for the past two years.”[/color] [color=#fd5e53]“Colette… has…?”[/color] Yalen felt dizziness overtake him. The exhausted student fainted on the spot.