.
Part III
Morning of Somnus, Twenty-Ninth Day of Autumnmoon
The Heron landed late in the morning in the city of Kish on a patch of grass known as The Commons. The landing area had been built back in the early days of air flight, against strong opposition from local conservationists. The Vinetan people loved their forests, but the dense woodlands made it impossible for aircrafts to touch down anywhere else. The critics tried to make a case against air flight, pointing to Kish's ample coastal access to satisfy future import and export needs. They were more worried that clear-cutting would set a precedent that would threaten the natural beauty of their homeland.
Of course, the clerics disagreed. They understood that Kish needed to keep pace with the rest of the developing world, or else fall into obsolescence. So they invoked their executive powers and sanctioned off a piece of land large enough to accommodate a half-dozen airships.
Fortunately, the bet paid off. Kish became one of the few landing hubs on the western side of the continent, which opened up new trade and commercial opportunities. The timing was also good, since the War had recently ended, and Koban and Kitezhian airliners were under sanctions. This freed Vineta to enter international markets with little to no competition. Their ships were small and unable to withstand battle, but the woodland city nevertheless experienced an explosion in economic growth.
Even so, the influx of wealth never came at the expense of Kish's natural beauty and wonder. Fears of unfettered expansion were unfounded, and the city continued to uphold the principles set forth by its founders, who long ago had proclaimed that no hand of man would ever disrupt the natural landscape.
So, instead of clearing away land to make room, the people simply constructed new buildings around existing rocks and trees. Pathways were formed from natural river stone and homes were designed along the contours of hills and depressions. Vinetans did not consider these features as barriers to growth, but rather as opportunities to expose the forest's inner beauty. The city flourished and its citizens adapted themselves to nature, rather than the other way around.
Bram listened as Matthias explained his take on Kishian history. The old wizard was a Vinetan native with plenty of knowledge to part. And he delivered it in volumes as he led Bram and Cedric to the large complex in the center of town. This was the famed Nexus, an enormous campus of civic and community services, a hospital, and one of the world's most famous schools of medicine and white wizardry. It was also home to the Circle of Eight, including the One Voice, Allura.
A lone wizard met them at the entryway of one of the main buildings. He was an older gentleman whose face was mostly hidden by a hooded white robe. He held a list of names and was ready to turn away anyone without an appointment. But as soon as Matthias introduced himself, the apologetic acolyte excused himself to consult his superiors. Evidently, the Deleuze name carried a fair amount of weight inside the forest city. A short time later, the white wizard returned with word that the One Voice would meet them after sunset. He requested Bram and the others to return then.
To pass the time, Bram and Cedric immersed themselves in the local culture, tasting the native cuisine and exploring the beautiful woodland city. Even in the onset of winter, many Vinetans spent time outdoors, playfully enjoying a light dusting of snow that dappled the mossy forest floor. Meanwhile, Matthias left to visit some old friends. When dusk neared, the companions returned to the Nexus, eager to meet the One Voice and begin their mission. This time, the staunch gatekeeper beckoned them forward. Bram followed the old man inside.
Unlike the other places the knight had seen throughout the day, the Nexus appeared more open and spacious, with a modern but luxurious aesthetic. Freckled marble covered the walls and floors, polished well enough to reflect those beholding it. Bram supposed it must have been quarried from the mountains of Ur along Vineta's eastern border.
And yet, the extravagant materials molded themselves around existing natural elements. Occasionally, a tree trunk sprouted from the floor only to disappear into a recess in the ceiling—proving that even the clerics held these centuries-old relics in a high enough regard not to pull them out for practicality.
At the end of the march, Bram reached a room on the upper floor. On the opposite side, a wide glass window overlooked the rest of the city. Night had settled, but the vista was alit with luminess-powered street lamps. The star-like beacons created a mosaic as majestic as the night's sky. A fountain in the room's center splashed faintly, bringing the sounds of nature into the room. Bram's white wizard guide disappeared behind an ornate double-door, but it did not take long before the One Voice emerged with aplomb.
The knight fell in awe the moment he saw her. She walked with grace and poise—and calling her stunning would have been an understatement! Bram recalled Matthias' claim that the two had shared a 'past', but Bram figured he must have incorrectly presumed that it involved a love interest. This woman was decades younger than Matthias, not to mention dashingly beautiful. It was impossible to imagine her and the old wizard together.
Bram quickly wiped the thought from his mind as he observed the One Voice followed by two servants, each one holding a rather large lock of Allura's elaborately-styled hair. The massive coiffeur was pulled back and braided in the form of a wide net, which fanned outward like peacock's feathers. Rainbow colored twine held it in place, creating a dazzling display of hues. Along her wrists dangled shiny silver bangles, and from her ears were hoops adorned with diamonds.
Her dress was a stunning sapphire-blue surrounded by white lace and a high neck. The bottom of the garment hovered just slightly above the floor so that none of it dragged. Her eyes went immediately to Matthias, at which point she quickly ambled over with arms spread out wide and welcoming.
"My dear friend, how long has it been?" she gushed with a thick and sultry accent.
Matthias hesitated before extending his arms, too. The two touched hands briefly while kissing the air beside their cheeks. "I suppose you know why we're here?" he asked.
"First things first," she declared with alacrity, "I want to meet these fine young men who accompany you."
Angkor's former Grand Craftsman stepped forward politely. "My name is Cedric Curtis, Milady." Allura extended her hand and Cedric bent down to kiss it.
"My, my … what a fine-looking gentleman!" she purred with raised brows and a naughty smile. Cedric took a few steps back, blushing.
Bram swooped in to rescue his embarrassed friend, quickly descending to one knee. "Greetings, Lady Allura. I am Abraham Morrison."
The One Voice looked him up and down, eyes glinting with the reflection of his bright silver armor. He straightened his posture as best he could while she hummed. "I already know who you are, Sir Knight. Your reputation precedes you."
Bram stood up, taken aback by her comment. He had certainly not expected his deeds as a Grigori to have traveled from Minoa so fast. Perhaps she referred to his prior reputation—something he hoped to clarify.
"Milady, if you refer to my days as a Gnostic, you should know I no longer walk that path."
Allura tittered gleefully. "Oh, dear, you clearly misunderstand. I'm not referring to your prior life of darkness, Sir Knight, but rather to your miraculous rebirth into the order of the Grigori."
For a moment, Bram was speechless. He shot a quick glance at Cedric and Matthias, whose expressions indicated an equal level of confusion. Nevertheless, Bram composed himself … with effort.
"Lady Allura, I was not aware that news had traveled to Vineta so quickly."
Allura contained her laughter, though her lips remained puckered while her eyes fluttered in amusement. "You expected any less? The Minoans have been singing praises of the birth of their Savior ever since you climbed out of the Great Crevasse."
Bram hearkened back to Matthias' warning while aboard the Heron. Either Allura was being sincere about the Minoan people, or subtly mocking their religious differences. But … if she was in fact genuine, Bram was not pleased with the burden it placed upon him.
It had only been a week since he had renounced the Gnostic Knighthood. They were perhaps the most feared and loathsome organization on the Northern Continent—if not the world. He had agreed to help the Elder protect the sunstones, but certainly did not intend to play the role of Savior. It was a standard far too great for someone like him. He had no hope of meeting such high expectations.
The pressure left him short of breath, but he recovered the only way he knew how, by summoning the coarse blanket of detachment that had protected him for so long as a Gnostic. Otherwise, he would be gushing his feelings in front of this cleric, who was no doubt scrutinizing his every move. He had no intention of ruining his best chance of reaching a mutual agreement. So he pulled himself together and replied modestly.
"It's merely a matter of my rare Minoan bloodline, Lady Allura. The Minoans do me far too much honor, but it's true I've come to help in any way I can."
Allura brought her hand to her chest, her expression most indignant. "You can't be serious!"
Bram was aghast. Surely the One Voice did not expect him to pony up to a set of unrealistic expectations. He stumbled for a response.
"Milady … I assure you I came with sincere intentions. I'm committed to defending the sunstones, but, respectfully, I've done nothing up to this point to earn the title of Savior."
Allura took a step back. Her right hand flew up to her brow as if she were about to swoon. "I can't believe what I'm hearing!"
Bram never expected such an aggrandized performance. Allura must have been playacting, but the over-the-top production rivaled even the most melodramatic bard or pouty noblewomen he had seen. He tried getting a reading from his friends, but Cedric had since withdrawn to the room's corner wearing a look of shock and embarrassment, while Matthias stood impatiently with his arms crossed and brows furrowed.
Fortunately, the gray wizard stepped in to save him. "That's enough, Allura. We didn't come here to debate religion."
"That is not what this is about, Master Deleuze. Besides, you've rudely interrupted me, and I wasn't finished speaking!"
She approached Bram, gliding gracefully to stand right in front of him. It was close enough that he caught a whiff of her perfume, a subtle blend of lavender and cloves. "Sir Morrison, I sincerely hope you do not tell the Minoans what you've told me. I fear it would simply crush what little spirit they have left."
Matthias let out an exasperated breath. "For the love of Gaia, Allura, stop and spare us this nonsense! We came here to discuss something important!"
The cleric's head whipped around like a bird of prey. The sudden movement almost tossed her hair-holding servants off their feet. "You'll silence yourself, Master Deleuze, or I'll have you removed from my sight!"
Matthias took a few steps back, mumbling objections under his breath.
The One Voice breathed in deeply. "Shame on you if you think I say these things out of spite or zealotry! You have no idea what you're up against!"
Bram tensed. "You mean the Ahrimen, don't you?"
Allura turned her head back slowly. "But of course, Sir Morrison."
Bram sighed, feeling as if he had just been duped. He had assumed the clerics had been indisposed all day with other business, but now he realized they must have spent hours fervently discussing his arrival.
"Then you obviously know why we're here."
Allura nodded. "We have our theories … but perhaps you'd be willing to humor us and summarize your intentions more directly."
Bram was embarrassed. The One Voice had been testing him, and he had shown a lack of confidence. He had to change his tone quickly if he had any hope of regaining her trust.
"Lady Allura, we know the Capricorn Stone has been taken by King Arcesilaus. We're here because we're committed to the mission of the Grigori Knights. We believe the sunstones need to be returned to their rightful places."
The cleric turned up her chin. "What makes you think you can be of any help? Certainly, you wear the garb of the Grigori. Yet, you cast doubts over the very tenants of the Knighthood. You must understand … we can't have novices meddling with the powers of the sunstones."
Allura had clearly stated her position, but Bram was not ready to give up. His hand went to his belt pouch.
"Forgive my earlier comments, Milady. I had only meant that the burden of protecting the sunstones should not fall on a single man, whether he be called Savior, or otherwise. Indeed, we work as a team. And should you doubt us, then look upon this as proof of our abilities."
Bram revealed the Pisces Stone in his palm. It resembled nothing more than a clear and lusterless crystal, but Allura's eyes went wide at the sight of it.
The knight smirked. "You know what this is, don't you?"
The One Voice shrunk backwards. "How did you get that?"
"We retrieved it from the late Richard Cromwell," Bram answered. "Of course, he had already been consumed by the demon known as Abaddon. Nevertheless, we faced this monster and defeated it, as a team. I then used my Grigori powers to return it to its prison."
Allura reached out with trembling fingers, almost close enough to caress its beautiful shape—but before making contact she retracted her hand violently. Anyone else would have thought she had been struck by a viper. She shook visibly.
"Put it away," she ordered, her head turned, clearly repulsed.
"As you wish, Milady." Bram returned the sunstone to his pouch, and Allura slowly turned back to face him.
"Truly, you have great power," she acquiesced. "You've somehow survived a battle against one of the vilest creatures to ever exist in our world, so we can no longer deny the Minoans' right to call you Savior. But, if you expect to help us recover Vineta's most sacred treasure, then I must first show you how it was stolen. Now, come."
Bram followed Allura to another wing of the Nexus, while Cedric and Matthias kept close behind. Her two servants followed as well, silently supporting her long braided hair. Bram passed through multiple nondescript stairwells and marble-covered corridors before arriving at the entrance of an ancient Minoan temple. It resembled the ones in Koba and Minoa, except that the reflective walls within its inner chamber had been shattered. Shards of glittering glass cast scattered flecks of mystical light across the room. The hair on Bram's neck and arms stood straight from the latent magical energy still hanging in the air.
Allura's voice shook. "This was once our sacred sanctuary … until it was desecrated by our most trusted of neighbors."
Bram shook his head. "So … King Arcesilaus destroyed the temple walls from the inside and disabled the fail-safes. But … how? Surely there were other defenses."
Allura sighed. Her voice was listless, quite different from all her previous flair.
"Long ago, Vineta and the Elflands were once a unified nation. No one remembers the precise event, but something devastating must have happened between our people. We are quite similar … both desiring peace and harmony with nature … but clearly that was not enough. Some of us wanted to interact with the rest of the world, while others demanded privacy and isolation. This second faction split and formed a separate nation. To this day, they maintain a decisive distance from the rest of society, except for their close ties with Vineta. That makes us perhaps the only nation on Gaia capable of sustaining a relationship."
"You once had common ancestry?" Cedric piped up unexpectedly. "But I thought the Elfen people had fey blood within them."
Allura chuckled, but more to hold back tears than anything else. It reminded Bram of the way Rosa would sometimes react when he wronged her.
"Those are just silly stories. They're not descendants of elves—or any other woodland creatures. They like it when people believe in the myths, but the Elfen people are just like us, except they prefer to be left alone."
Cedric's cheeks turned a faint red. "I apologize for my naiveté."
"Nonsense," the One Voice told him. Her eyes were still watery, but skimming the surface was a kind of sincerity. "Many people in this world have been led astray by rumor and hearsay. The stories about the Elfen people partly exist because they so rarely travel out of their own country. Most people in this world have never even met one of them."
Allura reached out to Cedric. He met her halfway in a polite but tangible exchange. "Even so," she continued, "I welcome all thoughts on the matter. Whether or not you are well versed in the facts, you should not hesitate to let others benefit from your point of view."
Cedric smiled and bowed his head. "I appreciate that, Lady Allura. I suppose my only thought is this: If Vineta is one of the few countries still friendly with the Elflands, then it must be very important for the clerics to maintain that relationship. King Arcesilaus must have exploited that trust to put himself in a position to get close to the sunstone. That's when he must have … you know … done what he did without anyone noticing."
Allura nodded. "Indeed, your deductions are correct, Mister Curtis."
Her eye contact shifted to Bram and Matthias. "I say to all of you. Please, do not judge us harshly. I know it must appear as if we were lax, but we've been diligent sunstone protectors for nearly a millennium. That includes keeping the sunstone heavily monitored at all times. We should have never let down our guard—even for a moment—but when Arcesilaus appeared one day with promises of an enriched relationship, we perhaps welcomed him a bit too eagerly."
Matthias frowned, shaking his head. "He must have been very convincing."
Allura's shoulders sagged and her head drooped. "He came promising new initiatives that would have benefitted both our nations. You must understand. Our people have been dreaming for years for a broader partnership with the Elflands. As clerics, it was our duty to treat such a rare opportunity in earnest. But we were fools. We put our eagerness to please the Elfen king ahead of our most sacred duties."
The One Voice paused a moment in silent reflection. She then looked up, her eyes flaring. "Arcesilaus betrayed our hospitality and stole the sunstone the first moment we diverted our attention. He must be stopped and the sunstone returned at all costs!"
Bram understood and empathized. Allura had a flair for theatrics, but it was clear that she and the other clerics were victims of Arcesilaus' lies. The Elfen king had come with friendly intentions, only to steal the sunstone for himself. The situation felt oddly similar to what Bram had in mind when he first set foot in Vineta. His chest felt heavy with remorse.
If he were really true to his word, he would return the Capricorn Stone directly to the clerics. It was naturally the right thing to do. But the more Bram mulled it over, the more he realized what he would be giving up. By turning over the sunstone, he would have nothing with which to barter for Rosa's life. Worse, he would have no way to find where Kane and Samuel were hiding. It seemed that honoring his brother's Faustian pact was his only chance to do both.
He considered asking Allura whether he could use the Capricorn Stone with the clerics' permission … but the stakes were too high. He could not afford to have them refuse. Rosa's life hung in the balance, and the clerics had no attachment to just a single person. The Enchantment compelled them to value the safety of the world above all else. They would never allow a former Gnostic Knight to use their sunstone to barter with the enemy.
On the other hand, keeping the sunstone gave him leverage to find Samuel's hideout, which in turn might lead to Rosa. All he had to do was betray the cleric's trust … just as King Arcesilaus had done. But he wondered would it would mean in terms of walking the path of the Grigori? Would his powers fail, right when he needed them the most?
He realized he had remained silent for far too long. He needed to say something, and he had no time to weigh the consequences. His best bet was to remain neutral and see how things played out. Perhaps other options would emerge.
"What else can you tell us about Arcesilaus?" he posed while keeping his anxieties well hidden. "Even with easy access and a motive, I assume it wasn't easy for him to take the sunstone. He must have had some other means to escape Kish without being captured."
Allura nodded. "You're once again correct, Sir Morrison. Arcesilaus is an accomplished black wizard. We suspect he broke the mirrored glass surrounding this inner chamber so he could magically teleport out of the city. Otherwise, the enchantment on the glass would have stopped him."
"Why hasn't the Circle of Eight gone after him?" Matthias interjected.
Allura walked over to a fragment of glass wall that remained, her hand gently caressing its cracked surface. "Unfortunately, it's not that simple. Arcesilaus was clearly responsible, but we lack any actual proof—at least, nothing the Elfen people would accept. We've already contacted their emissary, but the discussion was most unpleasant. He demanded an apology, of all things—accusing us of conspiring against his king! Given the fragile relationship between our nations, there would be profound consequences if we openly retaliated."
Bram shared Allura's frustration. He imagined it must have been difficult for the clerics to navigate such a political nightmare. He never remembered King Richard being in a position to consider how other nations perceived him. Then again, that was the benefit of Angkor's might and dominance. But for smaller countries like Vineta, maintaining a peaceful perception was vital to their survival.
Bram tried to say something helpful. "I assume you've considered taking it back in secret?"
Allura nodded. "We have many capable wizards, Sir Knight, some of which have already made their way into the Elfen forests. They've reported strange magic near the capital city of Garda. Based on their readings, they believe Arcesilaus is using the sunstone to generate an anti-magic field for protection."
"An anti-magic field?" Matthias echoed. "How would that help Arcesilaus? He would need to confront an invading wizard in order to put a field around them. Even if the sunstone has enhanced his powers, he would still be vulnerable if someone snuck through without being seen."
"You don't understand," Allura asserted. "I do not refer to individual fields cast around trespassing wizards, as you might expect. I meant that Arcesilaus has found a way to generate a single field so large that it covers the entire city—plus some of the surrounding forests! If our scouts are correct, any wizard passing through the field will lose their ability to cast magic, whether or not Arcesilaus sees them coming."
Matthias groaned loud enough to be heard across the room. Clearly, the Elfen king was using the sunstone's magic in new ways that no one could have predicted. The clerics were surely in desperate need. Bram now had his chance to seize the opportunity to pledge himself to their cause. He hesitated a moment, knowing it would commit him to a certain level of dishonesty. But he could not think of any other way.
"There's one thing I still don't understand," he noted. "Why did Arcesilaus take the sunstone in the first place? He's clearly not working for the same villains responsible for the other sunstones."
Allura arched her brows. "And might I ask what brings you to that conclusion, Sir Knight?"
"I'll explain …." Bram offered some background on Virgil Garvey and Samuel Cortez. However, he kept many of the details secret, including his relationship to Kane, Rosa's kidnapping, and the ultimatum in exchange for her life. During his explanation, he mentioned how Virgil had stumbled across the journals of an old sage known as Maurice Vance. As soon as he mentioned the name, the color drained from Allura's face.
"So … it all comes down to Maurice Vance," the One Voice mourned. "Then … it is indeed all our fault."
The admission wrecked Bram's train of thought. The hairs on the nape of his neck stood straight up. "What do you mean?"
Allura sighed. "It seems I owe you an explanation."
Cedric and Matthias gathered close as the One Voice composed herself and began her story.
"It all happened thirty years ago. Maurice Vance was a well-known researcher, famous around the world for his discoveries. When he announced the Nexus as the location for his next project, we were delighted. He had proposed the discovery of a new cure—one that addresses a very serious disease that causes some wizards to lose their magic later in life. What better way to deliver this new gift to the world than to have it sponsored at our facility?"
Allura held a starry-eyed smile as she described the potential cure. For a moment, Bram thought of Rosa's smile, which brought a momentary feeling of melancholy. But it faded just as quickly as Allura's expression.
"Unfortunately, Maurice Vance ended up duping us all. He never intended to perform his research. Instead, he waited until late at night, after the Nexus shut down. When no one was watching, he insidiously snuck into our temple to perform secret experiments on our sunstone! We eventually caught on to his deceit, but he disappeared before we could capture him, along with his journals."
Bram hung on every word, but was let down when Allura finished. "That's it?" he asked. "You don't know what happened to him, or what he had managed to discover from his research?"
Allura frowned. "I thought it would be obvious to you, Sir Knight. He made contact with the most powerful of all the Ahrimen, the one known as Lord Zagan. Whatever happened afterward is still a mystery, but it was surely the first in a series of events that has led to our current crisis."
"Let me see if I understand," Cedric summarized. "Maurice Vance performed secret experiments on the sunstone, here in Vineta. He wrote about it in his journals, then disappeared as soon as the clerics found out. Then, thirty years later, the journals turn up in the Archives of Angkor. Virgil discovers the secret of the sunstones, and convinces King Richard to steal the one from Minoa. But, we still don't understand what else Vance might have learned about the Ahrimen, or why Virgil thinks he can control them."
"The man's crazy!" Matthias blurted. "We saw what happened when Richard used the Ahrimen's powers. It's just a matter of time before the Ahriman destroys them!"
"I'm not so sure," Cedric argued. "Virgil confronted me when I was trapped inside Angkor's Catacombs. I don't know what it was, but something horrifying came over him. It was almost as if his face … transformed … into something ghastly. I'm certain he was using a sunstone!"
Another chill surged up Bram's spine, causing him to break out in goose-bumps. "We saw the same thing! In the Angkorian waterways! It almost looked like … Death itself."
"Yes!" Cedric exclaimed. "That's it! But would he really use a sunstone if he knew about the consequences? He was far more cunning when he gave King Richard the Pisces Stone, knowing what it would do to him. Yes, he's erratic and unpredictable, but he's been sane enough to keep several steps ahead of us. So, if he's using the power of the Ahrimen, how does he protect himself from their corruption?"
The room was deathly silent. There was still so much about the sunstones that Bram did not understand. If Virgil found a way to control an Ahriman's powers without consequences, it would make him incredibly dangerous!
Beads of cold sweat trickled down from Bram's brow. "If what you suggest is true, Cedric, then we'll have no choice but to confront that Ahriman to stop him."
As soon as he said it, Bram watched the faces of his friends turn pale. This was especially true for Matthias, who took on the shade of fresh white linens. There was no doubt he feared the need to use Apocalypsis.
"We would have never even considered such a thing," Allura admitted. "If what you say is true, then I must warn you of an even greater threat."
Cedric's eyes opened so wide they looked on the verge of falling out. "What could be more dangerous than a madman with the unlimited power of an Ahriman?"
The One Voice lowered her head. "The Ahrimen's powers are not just terrible and horrifying. They also have the secondary effect of disrupting the Zohar."
"The Zohar?" Bram repeated. "What's that?"
Allura gasped. Both hands rushed upward to cover her open mouth. Off to the side, Matthias groaned.
"Sir Morrison!" the One Voice shrieked. "Are you telling me you know nothing of the fabric of life that surrounds our world? The ethereal essence that is a cornerstone of our Kybalic faith?"
Bram had the creeping suspicion that he had inadvertently stepped into the religious debate he had meant to avoid. But with Allura's heightened response, he knew he had no chance of sidestepping.
"I'm sorry, Milady, but I'm afraid I'm not well-versed in the Kybalic faith."
"Humph. That's not surprising, coming from someone of Minoan blood," she derided. "Allow me to educate you."
Off to the side, Matthias frowned and shook his head, but the One Voice seemed not to notice.
"Originally, our faith derived from the same sect as the Gaian Priests—those of your direct lineage, Sir Knight. For a time, our priests worshipped the goddess, Gaia, believing that all magic came from her—the deified spirit of our planet. However, a small group of researchers dedicated themselves to proving that theory. But what they found was that the true source of magic came from beyond this world, a revelation that essentially debunked the Gaian myth."
Bram tensed, fearing that Allura had set the stage to openly pit him against the Minoan faith. "Milady," he began as tactfully as he could muster, "with all due respect, we do not wish to take sides. We respect your beliefs and only wish to focus on how we can recover your sunstone from King Arcesilaus."
"Not so fast," the One Voice demanded. "We can't have our champion be ignorant of the fundamental powers at play. At least hear me out, Sir Morrison, so that I can explain why we fear the Ahrimen more than any other wizard or priest on this planet."
Bram saw the look of determination on Allura's face and felt it best to let her finish. "Of course. We must consider both sides."
Bram heard Matthias sigh. Clearly, the wizard had a tough time swallowing Allura's explanation, but at least he was wise enough to keep his mouth shut and give the respect of hearing her out.
The One Voice took a deep breath. "As I was saying, our ancestors found evidence of an ever-present aether, which acts as a sort of medium to transfer energy between this world … and the world beyond."
"An aether?" Cedric asked. "You mean, like something in the air?"
"Not in the air," Allura responded. "Rather, the air is contained within it. It surrounds us, and although we can't see it or directly interact with it, we know that magic would be impossible without it. We refer to this aether as the Zohar, and believe it to be not only capable of transferring magic, but it also the fundamental ingredients for life."
"Come now," Cedric objected. "Women don't need this aether to bear a child. What kind of research would give credit to an invisible force, when we can witness the miracle of life with our own eyes?"
Allura turned to face the craftsman. "True, it is not necessary to believe in the Zohar if a person is satisfied with an explanation that relies only on our direct senses. Indeed, when we break down and analyze the components of a human body, we end up with nothing more than flesh and bone. But, in order to truly understand how a person thinks and feels, we must go beyond the corporeal body."
"You mean the soul?" Bram asked. He was beginning to feel that Allura's explanation was similar to a lot of other religions. However, he was intrigued with the idea that life could be more than just the material elements that made up the body. Ever since he was a child, he had believed in the concept of a soul. It was never a belief that worked well in the ranks of the Gnostics, but now ….
"Are you saying that without the Zohar to transfer the invisible ingredients of life, human beings might not survive?"
"Precisely," Allura confirmed. "Some people believe we can fully explain life in terms of science and chemistry. But, this only appears to be true, since one cannot disprove a theory based on faith. That's why it's often relegated to religious debate."
"Then, why should anyone believe it?" Bram challenged.
"Because," Allura continued, "one thing our founders discovered about the Zohar was its fragility. It could be disrupted by certain energies travelling through it. This includes the magic of the Ahrimen. We believe—or rather, we fear—that if the Ahrimen continue to use their magic, it would eventually sever the connection between the Zohar and our world. That is what we dread the most!"
Bram crossed his arms, trying to put it all together. "So, you're suggesting that if the Ahrimen are released from their prisons and use their magic long enough, at some point it would harm the lives of everything on Gaia?"
Allura nodded. "Not all at once. At first, it would only impact the creation of new life. But without a cycle of life, it's only a matter of time before we all perish. That's why we treat the sunstone's theft so seriously, Sir Morrison. Angkor's search for the sunstones has already awakened one of these demons. Our fear is that the others will soon follow. If we fail to return the sunstones to their proper places, everything we know and love will be at stake!"
The room returned to silence. Matthias kept his mouth shut, looking unperturbed. He practically rolled his eyes, while Cedric looked like he had just seen a ghost.
Bram stepped forward. "Hold on, we need to think this through. Lady Allura, how would we know if the Zohar has been disturbed? What are the signs?"
The One Voice responded shakily. "Horrible things. Famines, droughts, plagues … and that's just the beginning." She lowered her head, her eyes pleading. "If it isn't clear to you by now how desperate things are, Sir Morrison, then you might as well move on. But, if you are willing to help us … we need you. If we can't return the sunstones in time … if the Ahrimen manage to escape …."
Allura could hardly finish her sentence. Her words lingered ominously. Every fiber of Bram's being wanted to be the savior who returned the sunstones to their rightful places. But, he also needed them. Now was the time to come forward and be honest about his deal with Kane. If he did so quickly, it might still be possible to gain Allura's blessing.
Unfortunately, she could still refuse. At least if Bram remained silent, he would keep his options open. He might even be able to find Samuel, and still return the sunstone to the clerics later. But if he messed up now, he would never get another chance. Rosa's life hung in the balance!
He wished he had a clear choice. He had hoped the path of the Grigori was straight-forward, and that he could rest assured that honesty and virtue would always take him closer to his goals. But now … it seemed like the truth was poison. If he told Allura what had really happened … and he lost the chance to reach Rosa in time because of it … he would never forgive himself.
There was no other way. His mind was made up. His path set.
"Lady Allura," he stated reassuringly, "we pledge ourselves to the return of the Capricorn Stone. It must remain in Kish, under the protection of the clerics. We must return all the sunstones to their rightful places, and bring the masterminds behind this to justice. The price of failure is too steep."
The One Voice clapped her hands together, sending a resounding echo throughout the chamber. "Thank you, Sir Morrison. I was wrong to ever doubt you! It's clear that your resolve is real and the Minoans were right to call you Savior. Please … let me know if there's anything I can do to help you get started."
Bram smiled, feeling more comfortable now that the One Voice's was eager to provide assistance. He had expected greater scrutiny, but now it seemed like the clerics were desperate enough to seek his help without question. He still had doubts, but he buried them to take the One Voice up on her offer.
"Actually, Milady, my first concern is reaching King Arcesilaus before it's too late. According to our estimates, it'll take several days to reach Garda by foot. We can't use our airships due to the dense forests around the Elfen capital, nor can we travel by magic, if what you say is true about the anti-magic field. So I was hoping you had other ideas."
Allura offered her hand to Bram. "We do indeed have another option. One of our clerics has some research that I think will help. Please … let me set you up for the night, and first thing tomorrow I'll let him explain."
Bram took Allura's hand and allowed her to lead him out of the Nexus. Just before leaving the building, she summoned the old white wizard from earlier. The gentleman in hooded white robe suddenly appeared at the entrance to the chamber, as if he had been waiting just beyond the threshold the whole time. He led Bram and his friends to a nearby inn—a beautiful upscale establishment built around the limbs of a giant oak tree. A large stairwell led from the forest floor up to a set of double-doors thirty spans up. The wood was stained to match the rest of the tree, making the inn look like a part of it.
"Your rooms and meals are complementary, on behalf of the clerics," the hooded man announced before departing.
Bram and his friends were treated to a dinner from the city's finest chefs. A bountiful spread of roast gosling, colorful fruits, creamy cheeses, and long baguettes awaited them on a wooden table. The crispy golden skin of the goose, the freshly churned butter on the bread, and the juicy figs and grapes overflowed in heaps. It was a banquet fit for a king, something Bram had not enjoyed since his old role under King Richard.
Cedric gorged himself like a man who had not eaten in days, consuming among other things a fair amount of the velvety-red Vinetan wine. Overstuffed and more than a bit drunk, the Ex-Grand Craftsman staggered to his room and passed out.
Bram was about to join him when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Matthias gently guided him to an alcove off to the side, requesting the chance to discuss a few things in private.
The old wizard wasted no time in getting to the point. "So … I noticed you left out the part about your bargain with the Templar."
Bram groaned. He should have known that Matthias would bring it up, but he still had not prepared a satisfying explanation.
"It wasn't an easy decision, Matthias. But, I think it gives us more options. If we had told Allura about Kane, she would have never agreed to help us. I could sense it."
Matthias gave a small grunt. "I don't know what options you think you've bought, Bram. If you haven't revealed the truth by now, then you've already misled the clerics through omission. It pretty much commits us to betraying their trust later."
"Not necessarily," Bram argued. "If we find another way to track down Samuel, we can still return the sunstone to the clerics and explain the situation."
Matthias shook his head. "You have no idea who you're messing with. Allura is just a front—a pretty face that gives the clerics just the kind of outward appearance they want. But don't be fooled … they're not stupid people. Counting what happened with Maurice Vance, they've already been fooled twice. I'd therefore expect them to take extra precautions. And if they ever figure out that we've held back vital information—or that we're being extorted by the enemy—we'll feel their wrath sooner or later!"
Bram had not considered that. Already he felt squeezed between two bad scenarios. It took effort just to breathe.
"Forget about the clerics, Matthias. Virgil and Samuel could be anywhere. If we don't meet Kane by the deadline, we'll never find them!"
The old wizard folded his arms and his brows furrowed. "Let's suppose we end up retrieving the sunstone, and you hold your meeting with Mister Harding. Then what? You have a plan I don't know about? Samuel isn't stupid enough to invite you to his lair. What makes you think you'll ever find it?"
Bram had no answer, and the stress was crushing. "I don't know yet! But at least with the Capricorn Stone we'll have some leverage!"
Matthias scoffed. "Bah! Samuel has Miss Reynolds, and he'll use her to play the rest of us as fools!"
Bram's frustration quickly turned to anger. There was no way he would let this fink wizard use his love for Rosa against him! His body radiated heat.
"I already told you that I won't put her life ahead of the world! If it comes down to it, I'll refuse to go through with the trade. But until then, I must have the sunstone in hand! It gives us negotiating power. And you had better start trusting me, because I don't have the patience to explain myself every single time!"
The old man sighed. He looked tired, and for once did not bother escalating the argument. His voice was almost listless.
"Of course I trust you, Bram. But it doesn't mean I'm not worried …."
Bram felt his anger recede. "Then what is it? I saw how you were holding your tongue while Allura explained the Zohar. What was that all about?"
Matthias shook his head. He clearly struggled to articulate his response, but Bram awaited it patiently.
"I just don't think it matters."
Bram was taken aback. "Doesn't matter? You think the possibility of the Ahrimen destroying all life is unimportant?"
The gray wizard scowled. "Don't be a fool, Bram. The Zohar is just a theory—not even that … it's based on faith, not science! The important thing is to stop Samuel and Virgil before they release the Ahrimen, which are already dangerous enough without this so-called invisible aether that provides all life and magic."
Bram was surprised to hear Matthias so skeptical. "I would have thought that being a scholar would have made you curious about where magic comes from. Yeah, I know without proof, the Zohar is nothing more than religious debate. But, that doesn't make it unimportant. We used to think the sunstones were just icons, too … until we learned the truth."
"Fine!" Matthias blurted. "Believe what you want. Just don't be distracted. I don't need to know where magic comes from to know how to use it, and we don't need to be worried about the Zohar to take down Samuel and Virgil!"
Bram was quick to correct the old wizard. "You mean, we don't need the Zohar to protect the sunstones."
"What?" Matthias' face was a furnace. "Yeah, same thing!"
"Not necessarily," Bram maintained. "Protecting the sunstones is our primary mission, even if we need to pass on the opportunity to take down Samuel or Virgil. Or have you forgotten?"
Matthias stood up from his chair, his face fuming. "We can do both!"
Bram also shot up to his feet, ready to put the old wizard's anger back in its place. "Yeah, I'd like to stop them and save Rosa, too! But in case you forgot our discussion yesterday, we need to be clear which is higher priority. Understood?"
The furnace finally blew. "Oh, Yeah? Well, you go ahead and do what you need to do, Bram. And so will I!"
Once again, the old wizard stormed off to his room. Bram buried his face in his hands, wishing he knew what to do. Only one thing was certain: he would not be getting much sleep that night.
