Chapter 16 - Devotion to Divinity

The room was silent for a few moments after Zahra spoke. Once the shock of the revelation had passed, Veil eventually spoke up.

"An Eye… I've only ever heard about them! So you've been doing Serapis's will without anyone knowing about it? That's amazing!"

"I…" Nuha stuttered, "I don't think it's that amazing… Especially since we've been defying the Precepts… Teaching you how to read and write before-"

Zahra gave Nuha a gentle look. "Nuha, don't worry about any of that. Honestly, those parts of the Precepts never felt fair to me. And it wouldn't be fair to you or Veil to get you in trouble over something like that."

"Okay… but what about you? Aren't the Eyes of Serapis supposed to keep themselves hidden?"

Veil gave Zahra a look. "You aren't going to get in trouble with Serapis over telling us, are you?"

"To be honest? I don't think She really cares, as long as you keep quiet about it. But I'm telling you about it because… What I'm really here for is something that could probably get us all in trouble. But you're the only ones I can really trust to help with this."

"So what is it?" Arc asked. "You know, if it's so important that we're talking about it like this?"

"I need to explain a little more first. The whole reason I'm here, it has to do with a prophecy. One that affects all of us."

"A prophecy?"

"Yeah, one written by Mistress Mitra, the High Daughter I report to. She thinks that you might be one of the people in it, just like me. A potential Obscured Star."

Veil paled. "Is… is that why you've been spending so much time with us? It all has to do with that prophecy? All this time, was it all just to-"

Zahra rested a hand on Veil's shoulder. "No, Veil. We met before I even knew you could have anything to do with the prophecy! Trust me, you're more important to me as my friend than as some fated hero."

Veil gave Zahra a faint smile and nodded. "R-right. I'm not sure what I was thinking…"

"Wait," Nuha said, furrowing her brow, "you think Veil could be a fated hero? What does that prophecy even say if that's the sort of thing we're talking about?"

"That's gonna take a bit more explaining. Okay, so to start…"

With her power continuing to hide everyone in the hut, Zahra started explaining the details of the Obscured Star Prophecy to Veil, Nuha, and Arc. A couple of hours passed as she went over the basic facts, including what she knew about the Obscured Star, the Eastern Wind, and the poetic verse of the prophecy itself. The group listened intently as she spoke, only interjecting with a few questions and comments.

"…Mistress Mitra thinks the prophecy applies to lots of people… The title of 'Obscured Star' can be interpreted in all kinds of ways…"

"…So Veil's not the only one…"

"…Arc's probably an Eastern Wind, I mean, given your power it seems pretty obvious…"

"…Yeah, pretty spot on with that one…"

"…Thrice Marked most likely has something to do with caste tattoos…"

"…Just like yours, right? And when I became a Servant…"

"…And most recently, that metal nightmare from the contract, I think it mentioned a few things that have to do with the prophecy."

"You mean the nightmares' plans?"

"Yeah, and that's where we have a problem."

Zahra moved a few of the scrolls littering the floor out of the way and began drawing in the sand on the ground. Closest to herself, she drew the Most Holy Icon of Serapis, and to either side of it she drew simple circles.

"So, the Icon represents Serapeum, and the circles on the sides are Anduruna and Bralgu. The prophecy mentions them as the Heartland, the East, and the West, and the metal nightmare told us about plans in all three of them."

Arc looked down at the circle representing Anduruna. "So, the False God… that would be Nabonidus, right? Trying to take his city back, and we can't really do anything about that here…"

"And whatever's happening in Bralgu," Nuha said, "the plans to bring Void back… since it's the nightmares' stronghold, I don't think we could even try to stop that…"

"But we stopped the threat to Serapeum, right?" Veil asked. "We killed the nightmare hordes that Kumarbi was leading."

"Yeah, but something tells me that wasn't his real plan. I mean, attacking us with an army of nightmares is one thing, but it doesn't really add up with the rest of what he was doing…"

"You mean the kidnappings?"

"Exactly. I think Kumarbi's planning something that the prophecy didn't account for. That's something about prophecies most people don't think about. Sometimes, what they don't say is just as important as what they do. As for what it did say…"

Zahra turned her head to the circle representing Bralgu. With a movement of her hand, she wiped the Anduruna and Serapeum symbols away as she pointed to it.

"Mistress Mitra's been focusing on that a little too much. I think the threat of Void coming back is making her lose sight of the bigger picture…"

"I mean, it is a pretty big threat. But, Nuha said it best, how would we even begin to attack Bralgu to stop that?"

"Mistress Mitra thinks the prophecy is the key to it, that the best way would be to get as many Obscured Stars and Eastern Winds as possible to deal with Void's return when it happens. But if she doesn't pay attention to whatever Kumarbi's doing…"

Veil looked down at the half-wiped away Icon of Serapis. "We may not even get the chance, right?"

"Yeah. And that's why…"

Zahra took a deep breath before continuing to speak. The rest of the group watched on, ready to hear what she had to say.

"I need your help to steal the prophecy scroll from her."

—

Veil could hardly believe what she just heard.

She could handle finding out that one of her best friends was one of Serapis's secret enforcers. The revelation that she was possibly part of a prophecy was also shocking, but easier to handle knowing that Zahra had been looking out for her the whole time. But just the idea of what Zahra was suggesting now…

"You… you want our help to steal from the capitol temple?"

"I know how it sounds," Zahra said with a nod. "It goes against all kinds of Precepts, it's practically stealing from Serapis Herself. But Mistress Mitra's obsessed with her prophecy. I just need us to hold on to the scroll long enough to convince her that Kumarbi's still a threat."

"So, we're not keeping the scroll? Just holding on to it for a little while?"

"Yeah. And if we can, I'd also like to actually take a look at it, see if we can't interpret the prophecy another way."

Arc blinked. "You mean, you've never read it before? Your Mistress doesn't trust you with it, even though you're her Eye?"

Zahra looked down. "Mistress Mitra… Serapis gave her the power of prophecy, and she's always taken it as her duty to manage everything that comes from it. The most I ever do for her is handling the small parts that she delegates to me. I honestly don't think she's even shown the prophecy to the other High Ones…"

"Not even the other High Ones?" Nuha asked. "But, these prophecies of hers are still the words of Serapis, right? Even Her Precepts have hundreds of different interpretations!"

"That's exactly the point I want to make to her. The Obscured Star Prophecy affects Serapeum, Anduruna, the whole Dreamworld, all of us! Somehow, I don't think Serapis would approve of something that big being handled by just one person, even if she is a High Daughter!"

Veil paused for a moment before speaking up. "So, we'd technically be doing the work of Serapis by taking the scroll and giving your Mistress our interpretation?"

"Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking. It wasn't something I ever thought I'd end up suggesting, but with how my Mistress has been ever since she heard about the nightmares' plans…"

"I think I get it, Zahra. She doesn't know it, but she needs your help. And you need our help to help her."

Veil looked down at the prayer talisman wrapped around her left hand. With a nod, she reached her right hand out to Zahra.

"I trust you, Zahra. Even if we have to violate the Precepts, if it means getting Serapis's will done, I swear by Her name that I'll do what I can to help."

Zahra smiled. With a swift motion, she took Veil's hand in her own and gave it a hearty shake.

"Thanks, Veil. I know it's a lot to ask. And… thanks for trusting me, besides that."

When the two arena fighters finished shaking hands, Arc spoke up. "I'm in, too. To be honest, the whole idea of reading that scroll's got me interested! To see the words of a goddess, even through the lens of a prophetic power… And, if we have to steal that scroll, I do have some experience with that sort of thing…"

"Really? I guess Serapis really wants us to do this, then, if I ended up getting a real thief to agree to it!"

Zahra let out a chuckle, and Veil cracked a faint smile. Just to the side, Nuha was looking down at the scrolls that still covered the ground.

"Serapis… She gave me a power… Even with all my doubts, I… I think She might actually be expecting us to go through with this…"

Veil gave Nuha a smile. "She does care, Nuha. And if we pull this off, there may be something in that scroll about the nightmares that could help you figure things out!"

Nuha nodded. "It's worth a try, right? Okay, Zahra, I'll try to help you with this however I can. Maybe my power could help out somehow…"

"It's a telepathy power, from what I heard you two saying, right? That could actually be really useful, especially since we don't exactly have data-scrolls to message each other with!"

"Data-scrolls? What are those, Arc?"

"Did… Did I really never tell you about them? They're… how do I explain it…"

As Arc was racking his brain for an explanation, Zahra spoke up. "They're Andurunan technology, scrolls made of energy that they use to send information back and forth between people. Kinda like Chanda's power, but not just one way, and they can have sound and moving pictures, not just text."

"I… Y-yeah, that's pretty much… Wait, how did…" Arc trailed off for a moment. "Oh, yeah. Almost forgot you're an Eye for a second there. Of course you'd know about that sort of thing."

"Heh, shocked you for a bit there, didn't I? Yeah, feels pretty good to be able to come out and say that sort of stuff! Never really could without everyone asking questions before! But we're getting off topic. So, if we're gonna plan a heist in the capitol temple, the first thing you need to know is…"

For the rest of the night, Zahra went over everything the group would need to know for the coming heist. All the while, Veil's mind raced with thoughts about just what the plan entailed.

We're really going to steal a scroll from the temple… I guess if it's in the name of Serapis's will, I'll have to get used to the idea…

I just hope we're really doing what She wants us to…

—

The next day, Veil, Nuha, and Arc met up with Zahra in front of Mistress Adelin's manor house. The facade of the building seemed to have a more dreary feeling to it ever since the contract had been completed. Veil was the first to put words to the thought the building left the group with.

"So, what'll we do if Mistress Adelin says no?"

"I… I'm not sure, Veil. My Mistress was so sure of her plan that I never even thought about whether Mistress Tenebri would still be grieving."

"She has been looking pretty down, lately…" Arc said. "It's still only been a few days since the funeral, after all…"

"Should… should I have even come at all, then?" Nuha asked, her eyes fixed on the ground. "Since I was kind of the one who-"

Veil grabbed Nuha by the shoulder and stared at her. "Nuha. It wasn't your fault. Kumarbi was the one who got you to act on your doubts. He's the one to blame for Master Sef's…"

"I… I've been trying to tell myself that, Veil. But what if Mistress Adelin still feels like I was responsible?"

"Well, we won't know until we actually talk to her, will we?"

Zahra nodded. "That's right. And, now that I think about it, we've still got plenty of time before the feast day. If your Mistress still needs time to grieve, we can just back off and let her."

"Yeah, however she answers us, we should just get in there and ask her. It couldn't really hurt, could it?"

With that said, Veil pulled the door to the manor house open. Steeling themselves for whatever would come next, the group started making their way inside.

Once they were inside, the faint sound of a conversation could be heard echoing from the direction of Mistress Adelin's office. As the group slowly headed in that direction, the sound started becoming louder and clearer to them.

"…should really begin making the…"

"…have a point. But Sef…"

"Wouldn't have wanted the House to fall behind…"

"You're right, of course, but… I still miss him…"

"We all do, Mistress. He was a brilliant man, truly…"

As soon as the group made their way into the Mistress's office, the sources of the voices became clear to them. Mistress Adelin was obviously one of the voices, and she was sitting behind her desk as usual. In front of her desk, the other speaker was quickly identified by his muscular body and the sigil of House Tenebri on his right arm, just above his elbow.

"Master Mahir?"

Mahir turned at the sound of his name. "Servant Tenebri Veil. What brings you-"

The Hand stopped speaking as his attention turned from Veil to Nuha, who had been following shortly behind her. His eyes narrowed as his next words came out slowly.

"Servant Nuha. I see you've finally decided to show yourself."

Nuha jolted and bowed stiffly as Mahir addressed her. "M-Master Mahir! I… I'm sorry, I…"

"Raise your head, Servant. I am aware of your involvement in… certain recent events. Mistress Adelin has already chosen to forgive you. As for myself… I would prefer if you actually lived the life that my Master sacrificed his for, rather than shutting yourself away from the world."

"Y…yes, Master."

Mahir nodded, then turned his attention back to Veil. "Now, then. What brings you here, Servant Veil?"

Veil gave Mahir a quick bow. "Well, Master, we wanted to talk with Mistress Adelin. Zahra was wondering if we were going to take part in the tournament on the feast day next month."

"Ah, you wanted to know about that too, Veil?" Mistress Adelin asked. "As it turns out, I was just speaking with Hand Mahir about the same thing."

"Indeed. I am willing to take care of all of the preparations, Mistress."

"Thank you, Mahir, but that won't be necessary. I will take care of the arrangements, so you can focus on training our power users to prepare for the tournament. What you said was entirely correct. Sef… he would have wanted us to take part."

Zahra stepped forward and spoke up. "Mistress Tenebri, there's still plenty of time before the feast day. If you don't feel like-"

"I appreciate your concern, Walker Zahra, but I will be fine. 'Time well spent is time spent serving Serapis.' The sooner I make the arrangements, the better it will be for House Tenebri. And besides that, I'm sure you'll want to spend time training for the tournament with Veil as well."

"Ah, right. Thanks, Mistress Tenebri. I'll make sure she's at the top of her game for the tournament! All in the name of Serapis!"

"Well said, Walker," Mahir said, giving Zahra a nod. "And on that note, we should begin training immediately. Servant Veil, Slave Arc, come with me. You will need to be at your absolute best to present yourselves before Serapis on the feast day. Walker Zahra, you may join us if you wish."

"Yes, Master," Veil and Arc replied, bowing in unison. Zahra nodded and bowed with them.

Giving the three of them a nod of acknowledgement, Mahir bowed to Mistress Adelin before leaving the room. Veil, Arc, and Zahra followed behind the Hand, leaving Nuha alone with her Mistress.

An awkward silence dominated the room for a short period of time. Eventually, Nuha spoke up.

"Um, Mistress? Was Master Mahir telling the truth about-"

Nuha's voice died out as Mistress Adelin approached her. As she felt the Mistress's wing-arms wrapping around her, she stifled a brief gasp.

"Yes, Nuha. Every word he said was true. Whatever compulsion Kumarbi struck you with, whatever questions you had… it doesn't matter anymore. I was… when you stopped speaking with everyone, I was afraid that I left you feeling guilty about what happened. If I did, if there was, or is, any trace of resentment that you believe I still have against you, I apologize for that…"

"M-Mistress…"

Nuha's arms slowly made their way behind Mistress Adelin's back. For what felt like an eternity, the two of them remained in their embrace.

—

The following weeks were filled with activity throughout the Tenebri Estate. Prayer sessions throughout the time leading up to the feast day were filled with requests for Serapis to reward the House's devotion with victory in the coming tournament. Mistress Adelin had largely returned to her usual self as she made the necessary preparations for House Tenebri to take part in the coming festivities.

Out on the training grounds, Mahir worked the House's power users even harder in training than they had ever been before. Veil, Arc, Evan, Asma, and even a reluctant Kamal faced off against each other in different matchups over and over. Occasionally, Zahra would show up to help with training, leading to a wide variety of different fights during the sparring sessions.

Whenever they weren't training, Veil and the Andurunan power users took the time to learn with Nuha. Arc helped his fellow slaves get more accustomed to the Serapean language as Veil continued her studies and reading lessons.

In between all of their other activities, Veil, Arc, Nuha, and Zahra worked on the plan to steal the prophecy scroll. Whenever Zahra wasn't at the estate, she would scout out the capitol temple, taking note of the passages and guard rotations in the pyramid as she went about her duties as an Eye of Serapis.

Nuha's power became instrumental during the planning phase, as she was able to connect her thoughts with Zahra's and relay information to Arc to write down. After he managed to convince Dom to lend him some of Kamal's writing equipment, Arc spent whatever time he could with Nuha, scrawling Zahra's notes in the Andurunan language to keep any prying eyes from knowing about the plans.

During the few nights when the group could meet up, they went over the details Arc had written down. In addition, Nuha would test the limits of her power with the group, eventually getting to a point where linking all of their thoughts together at once required much less effort on her part. Zahra was certain that no other Eyes had been following what the group was doing, but the added security granted by her power was always a welcome part of their planning sessions.

In time, the feast day finally arrived, and in the early morning, the known power users of House Tenebri made their way to their assigned area near the front of the capitol temple. Veil, Mistress Adelin, and Kamal kept their eyes on the pyramid in silent reverence. The Andurunans looked around in wonder as they saw the massive structure, though apart from the gathering groups from other Houses, the open area in front of the pyramid was devoid of any sign that it had been prepared for a special purpose.

"So, are we just supposed to fight out here? Right in front of the temple?" Evan asked.

"Yeah, it's kind of weird…" Arc said. "I mean, the arena's not too far away either…"

Asma shrugged. "Maybe there's something more to it. Is that right, Veil?"

Veil looked at Asma and nodded. "Yeah! I know it seems kind of weird right now, but in just a little bit-"

All of a sudden, the crowds of people all turned their attention to the capitol temple.

"Oh! It's happening! You should start bowing now, but keep looking! You've just got to see Her!"

"Bowing? Do you mean…"

"Hey, look up there! Is that…"

"I… I think so…"

Far atop the steps of the pyramid, a dominating figure stood tall, flanked by a retinue of kneeling Praetorians. As the figure descended, the details of her appearance became clearer to the group, who were now all prostrating themselves before her.

The figure's body appeared to be covered in golden armor. As she descended, the armor appeared to blend in almost seamlessly with her decidedly feminine form. A large golden ornamental ring with spokes that emulated the rays of the day-moon floated behind her, following her movements as if it were a part of her body.

Long, silvery-white ribbons of cloth extended from her arms and between her legs, nearly mimicking the appearance of the hair flowing from the back of her head. Apart from the perfectly straight locks which trailed behind her as she approached, her head was also covered with a golden mask that obscured her face completely. The Most Holy Icon was inscribed on the mask's forehead.

The figure stared out at the gathered crowd with eyes of pure white. A serene calm seemed to emanate from her, and as she addressed the crowd, the very earth beneath them echoed with her voice. Veil smiled as she once again bore witness to the most important being in her life. Taking a brief look at the Andurunans, she saw a look of awe on each of their faces as they realized that they were in the presence of nothing less than a physical god.

"My children, my dearest followers," Serapis began, "thank you for coming to offer your praise to me. On this day, we celebrate my greatest gift to you: Nothing less than the powers you have been imbued with! I ask you now, all those who intend to show your devotion to me today, show me the light that I have granted you, and I will in turn show you the glory of that light's origin!"

"I always loved seeing this when I was younger," Veil whispered, barely able to contain her excitement, "and now, I actually get to be a part of it!"

All around the congregation, multiple members of the crowd activated their powers. House Tenebri's power users followed suit, willing their halos to whir into existence. Once enough powers had been activated, it became clear that the power users among the crowd had been grouped in the shape of a larger halo surrounding the non-power users.

"These halos are a symbol of my Divine Protection, of your faith, and of your duty. As you stand here, surrounding the Powerless, you must always remember that they are your charge. To defend them from the wretched nightmares and the sinful Unseen, I have given you these fragments of my True Power. Now, behold, and know in your hearts the might of your Goddess!"

The ground beneath the crowd shook as Serapis spoke, shuddering more and more as she came to the end of her speech. Once she finished, the group in the middle of the power users instantly sank into the depths of the earth, and the ground beneath the power users started moving towards the now emptied center of the area.

"D-did She just…"

"Don't worry, they're fine! Just wait, this is the best part!"

Moments later, walls of solid rock rose around the power users. All around them, the sound of energetic cheering could be heard, and as they looked around, they saw the crowd of non-power users seated in stands that had not been carved so much as formed from the rock walls that were now surrounding them. In between the solid stone stands, massive obelisks stood tall, and from a point near the top of each one, springing water poured into great stone basins at their respective bases.

Serapis herself could be seen atop a massive pillar that had risen from where she had been standing, nestled in between the walls of rock. Now, she was seated on a throne of pure white rock that had been shaped in the same way as the stands had been.

"Now, my children," Serapis said, with the walls of the newly made arena echoing her voice, "by my authority as your Goddess, I declare this tournament open! May the greatest among you rise to the heights of glory through combat, and hold in your hearts my promise to you: I will have a private audience with each of you whose skill at using your gifts is proven to be the greatest here today!"

The crowd erupted in applause and cries of praise to Serapis. Veil beamed as she added her own voice to the rest of the crowd, offering her most earnest praise to the goddess. As she did, thoughts that weren't all her own flowed through her mind.

Serapis… She's absolutely amazing every time…

~ Yeah, I just wish I could've been there to actually see Her this time… ~

And a private audience with Her, too! If I can do well enough…

~ Do you… Do you think She'd answer any question? Like the ones I have about- ~

~ Hey, Veil, Nuha, we need to focus! As great as it would be to be able to talk with Serapis, we can't forget why we're here in the first place… ~

Right. We still have to get that scroll. Arc, do you think you'll be able to steal it in between your fights?

~ Yeah, I think so. Just have to make it through my first round, and I'll have a good chance… ~

~ Okay, good. Let's just focus on getting through that, and remember, this is for Mistress Mitra and Serapis… ~

That's right… We have to do this…

For Zahra's Mistress, and for Serapis…

—

The High Priestess awoke from yet another restless slumber. As she had done for the past month, she rose from the simple hide bedding that she had spent the night on and took a short stroll to look out from her makeshift abode, out from the heights of her home, to the desert that dominated the southern lands.

He still hasn't returned yet…

The one she was waiting for was her god, a being of considerable power. A few months ago, he left to take care of some sort of business in the desert. With only the vague promise that he would return as soon as it was taken care of, the High Priestess was left to wonder just what exactly her god was up to, and when exactly he would return.

Turning away from the southern vista, she retreated back into her simple dwelling. The structure had been constructed according to her god's decree, simple and effective, lacking the aesthetic elegance of the Serapean buildings she had once known so well.

That was not to say The High Priestess missed the Serapean style in the slightest. Over the years, she had grown to dislike the stylings of her former home, preferring the aesthetics and philosophies of her god to those of Serapis. Everything in that place that she had once held dear now filled her with a sense of revulsion, even her-

The High Priestess dismissed the thought from her mind almost as soon as she started to think about it.

No… she is the one thing remaining in that place that I could never think of like that…

But the rest of it… Such a waste… Seeing as it will all be reduced to nothing one way or another…

Putting the thoughts of Serapeum out of her mind, the High Priestess returned to her morning routine. As she gathered a simple breakfast of cured meat and fungus from her dwelling's storage area, she turned her attention to another part of the structure.

In an isolated corner of the mass of stolen stones she called her home, a small creature that looked like a skull with buglike legs and tiny arms sat among a smattering of scrolls and pieces of parchment. The miniscule nightmare - a Scrivener, her god had called it - existed for the purpose of recording his personal musings and notes in the physical world, to transfer the knowledge to his true form in the astral plane.

Over the past months, however, the creature sat nearly neglected, and it barely moved from the spot it had been left in, not that it was capable of moving very much at all. The High Priestess tossed one of the more unappetizing-looking scraps of fungus towards the Scrivener, which lamely reached for it with its small hands. Feeling the briefest sense of pity for the creature, she pushed the fungus closer to it until it could grasp the meager meal she had offered it.

As the nightmare started biting into the fungus, she bit into a piece of the cured meat she had gathered and started lazily chewing it.

I guess I should go talk with the other Faithful soon… They'll probably be expecting some sort of reassurance-

The slightest hint of a familiar sensation in her mind caused the High Priestess to pause in her thoughts. With a faint feeling of hope in her heart, she turned her attention back to the vista to the south. Her ability to feel the sensation had dulled over the years, but as she heard the voices of the Faithful outside, there could be no mistaking its source.

"My Lord! Welcome back!"

"He's returned!"

"Our god is back!"

The High Priestess's heart soared for only a moment before she stifled the feeling. Her god had warned her of the dangers of becoming overly emotional, and it would hardly do to greet him with a feeling that reeked of the Great Temptation. As she left the rest of her morning meal on the ground near the Scrivener, she composed herself before heading out to greet her god once more.

As soon as she stepped out of her abode, looking down the steps that led up to it she could see a group of the Faithful gathered around their shared god. He seemed to be addressing them calmly as she approached, and as soon as she was close enough to see the outline of something floating in one of his wings, he spoke to her.

"Ah… My finest prize… Excuse my sentimentality, but I must say I am glad to see you again…"

The High Priestess bowed deeply before responding. "Welcome back, Lord Kumarbi."