The Hundred Reigns

Chapter 154: The Sanctuary in the Sky (3)

Settling into their new home wasn’t as difficult as Simon expected.

While Simon promised Eole he wouldn’t use the Overlord Class in the Sanctuary, he could still cast Darkflight without it; it was just a lot more draining and imprecise to do so without the Magic stat boost brought by his Class outfit. He had avoided branding cows this time around to prevent the likes of Maublanc or the Oracle from tracking him down, so he had to rely on his own reserves. He and Belzemine ended up fashioning rope ladders to climb up and down the different floors to avoid wasting power.

Otherwise, the dwelling was pretty well-furnished. Due to their winged nature, the kish apparently designed their buildings so that the most used areas were put on the highest floors, so bedrooms were located at the top, living spaces like dining rooms or salons on the first floor, while storage, baths, privies, and private gardens were reserved for the ground floor. Their new neighbors also provided them with basic amenities such as cotton mattresses, tables, and cushions.

“This is all very kind of you,” Simon said, “I have some gold and silver to repay you–”

Eole laughed at him. “We kish don’t use money, Simon. We usually barter at the marketplace if we need anything we don’t have.”

“However, every able-bodied citizen must fulfill a rotational labor service during the year, as determined by the chieftain and the council of elders,” her brother Ruto warned them. “You may be called upon to help us rebuild houses or damaged infrastructure, labor in the fields, or fish, depending on our community’s needs.”

“That’s fine by me,” Simon replied. “My companion and I are both spellcasters, and I have limited crafting experience.”

Moreover, he recalled that Belzemine was vaguely interested in gardening. Non-Overlord related tasks might help her ease up and into her new life, perhaps enough for him to remove Gargauth’s brands without having to reapply new ones.

After they settled in, Eole and Ruto invited Simon and Belzemine to a temple on a cliff north of the settlement to meet with Sky-Father Vayan. Quite a few villagers looked at him with wonder and curiosity as they walked towards it.

“Is this their first time seeing a human?” Simon inquired out of curiosity. “I saw an airship crash in your Sanctuary in one of my visions, so I thought your people would have met some of mine.”

“The strangers you speak of crashed on a smaller island within the harpies’ territory, where we do not usually venture,” Ruto explained. “Though I did visit them as part of my Speaker duties to secure a peace agreement.”

“Speaker?” Simon scowled at another and very worrying detail. “Peace agreement?”

“My brother is our community’s Shaman, and serves as the Sky-Father’s voice,” Eole explained. “As for peace, while we coexist with our harpy sisters, they remain very…” Her tongue clicked as she looked for the correct word. “Territorial.”

“Having an enormous metal bird full of humans crash into their domain spooked them,” Ruto said. “Our visitors couldn’t speak the kish tongue either, so a fight broke out. The Sky-Father thankfully forced a ceasefire before it could turn into a massacre, and it fell to me to broker a satisfactory truce. It was… difficult.”

“I can only imagine,” Simon replied. Still, they should be thankful that a heroic individual like the Adventurer was the one to discover their land. She could have probably wiped out everyone on the Sanctuary on her lonesome if she wanted to. “So what’s the situation?”

“The intruders’ leader turned out to be the legendary Adventurer hero, and they are currently looking for a way to repair their metal bird,” Ruto said. “She went to Boreas to consult Lady Junon for her wisdom, but I do not know how their meeting went.”

Simon could guess that answer thanks to his foreknowledge: the Adventurer would eventually gain access to the Forbidden Keep in order to obtain materials needed for her vessel’s repairs, then either restore the airship herself or with Voltobauta’s help once he tracked her down.

“And what will happen once they complete the repairs?” Eole asked with a slight frown. “Will they be allowed to leave?”

Ruto scowled. “Truthfully, our elders are divided. While the Sky-Father believes our visitors to be pure of heart and the harpies warned they wouldn’t tolerate the intruders’ presence in their home forever, the risk that they will share the secret of our Sanctuary by intent or accident is… worrisome.”

“I could solve that issue,” Simon proposed, much to their surprise. “I’ve encountered magical contracts that could force their signatories to secrecy under the pain of death. It shouldn’t be too hard for Agnes and I to create one.”

“Such magic exists?” Ruto stroked his chin. “This would indeed solve all of our issues… Do you think you could help repair their metal bird?”

“Maybe,” Simon admitted. Devil Forgemaster granted him insight when it came to animated constructs, so an airship might count if infused with a spirit… “I would need to see it first.”

“We can visit them if the Sky-Father grants us his leave,” Ruto decided as they reached the temple. “Here we are.”

Built atop a cliff looming over the sea of clouds, the temple was a mere marble platform flanked by two series of broken, spearlike pillars on the sides. Ruto grabbed his Crestone and activated it, putting on a tribal robe alongside a feathered headband with a horn in the middle. He then entered some sort of trance, keeping his hands joined as he faced the sea of clouds.

“What Class is this?” Simon asked his companions.

“Shaman,” Belzemine replied, “A Summoner Vassal specialized in conjuring spirits.”

“My brother is our strongest spellcaster at level 21,” Eole said, before biting her lips when she spotted Simon’s thoroughly unimpressed reaction. “We are mostly vegetarians and do not fear monsters or warfare, so we do not level-up as quickly as armies on the surface. Our strongest warrior, my father, is level 48.”

“You are extremely lucky the Adventurer was the first to find this place rather than the Endymian army, then,” Simon said bluntly. “What about the elves?”

“They have stronger people among their numbers, but no one who can rival Vouivre or Louis,” Eole admitted. “I intend to talk with my father and our elders about your visions and the threats I uncovered on the surface. I hope they will listen.”

Me too, Simon thought as he heard Vayan’s roar echo in the distance, the Sky-Father flying over the temple and swiftly landing at the platform’s edge. Because otherwise your people will be doomed to conquest and slavery.

“I have heard your call, Speaker,” Vayan declared to Ruto without moving his beak, his voice half a bird’s song and half the sound of thunder that echoed in the minds of his listeners. “Are these our new guests?”

“Yes, Sky-Father,” Ruto replied after a short bow. “The human is Simon Magnos, a prophet of the surface, and the elf is called Agnes Firewand.”

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“Magnos?” Vayan’s head perked up at Simon with interest. “Are you the blood of Elios Magnos?”

Simon’s eyes widened in slight surprise. “Are you familiar with my ancestor?”

“That I am.” Vayan nodded happily. “Ruto, this man is the blood of the Heroes, descendant to the Librarian who saved our land from destruction during the Doom.”

“Truly?” Ruto bowed at Simon with deep respect. “It was indeed fate that brought you there.”

“I was much weaker back then than I am today, but I once lent your ancestor my power,” Vayan told Simon. “I witnessed his struggle against a great evil now sealed in the Forbidden Keep, and I continued to grant him my blessing until his death.”

“I didn’t know that,” Simon replied, now eminently curious. He had finally found a potential source of information on his ancestor. “What makes you think he died?”

“Our connection broke during the last days of the Doom, though I know not what led to his demise,” Vayan replied. “I assume he must have valiantly perished fighting the horrors that ruled the surface during that time.”

Simon guessed that becoming a lich had probably shattered whatever bond united his ancestor to his bound eidolons. Vayan’s respect for his lineage made Simon feel a little awkward. The eidolon was completely out of touch with more recent events.

Simon wondered how to tell him that Elios ended up siding with an archfiend to create the most dreadful Class in the world before turning into an undead abomination, but decided it might be a little too much to share at once.

“I see you inherited your ancestor’s gifts.” Vayan tilted his head like an owl, examining Simon with curiosity. “How peculiar…”

“Is something the matter, Sky-Father?” Ruto asked.

“You… you have a third eye, Simon… a third eye in your soul, blacker than a starless night and devoid of light…” The eidolon let out a small grunt of unease. “I have never seen anything like it.”

“I was told by my family’s sorcerers that I might be a latent Visionary, but aligned with the Abyss rather than the Worldsoul due to demonic ancestry in my lineage,” Simon admitted. “I hoped you could help me understand my gifts.”

“There is no such a thing as a Visionary of the Abyss… as far as I know, at least. Still, you do have the third eye, and I can sense we could form a contract.” Vayan nodded to himself, his burning eyes flickering as he turned his attention to Belzemine next. “As for you, young elf, I have never seen a member of your kind with such a strong connection to the Worldsoul. The Mana Goddess blessed you a great deal.”

The Worldsoul? Simon thought. Is that the light I see around her? A similar connection that of a Visionary?

Belzemine didn’t respond and shifted uncomfortably, so Simon took the lead again, “We hoped that we could find refuge here in your Sanctuary, Sky-Father.”

“Of course you can, if my children will allow it. We owe you a debt for returning young Eole to us, and the Librarian’s descendents will always be welcome here.” The Sky-Father turned to Eole and Ruto. “Will your council of elders and chieftain agree to this?”

“They will if you do, honored Sky-Father,” Ruto replied. Simon noticed that they seemed to follow a consensual method of governance, since their own god wouldn’t force the issue.

“Excellent. Then make yourself at home in our Sanctuary, child of the Librarian.” Vayan sat on his talons like a lion. “Eole’s song warned us that your visions foresaw an incoming disaster?”

Simon nodded and proceeded to recount his ‘prophecy’ of the new Doom, the Zodiac Parade, and the threat the likes of Vouivre represented for the Sanctuary. Vayan listened to everything with attention, growing more rattled the longer Simon went on with his ‘predictions’.

“I know the fiend you speak of, Nodens the Painbringer,” the Sky-Father said, his talons tense. “You say the seal binding the demon to the Forbidden Keep will falter in a year’s time?”

“Unfortunately,” Simon confirmed. “A dark comet called Abraxas will appear in a year’s time and empower all demons across the world. A potential vessel for Nodens’ wicked power might visit your Sanctuary even earlier, but I believe the measures I took before coming here should neutralize him.”

“Your words trouble me. I recall a comet shining in the sky when your ancestor fought Nodens, but I didn’t know those events were related. I will consult Lady Junon on this threat and ascertain its gravity as soon as possible.” Vayan studied Simon with his fiery eyes. “You say your visions come to you in dreams?”

“Sometimes,” Simon replied. He did have dreams of his father’s death and memories of the Crestones he had devoured. “I do not control them.”

“Few Visionaries do, but your visions will become more accurate with training and practice. I will do my best to help you hone your abilities.” Vayan lowered his head slightly to better lock gaze with him. “Look at me with your third eye, and tell me what you see.”

Simon frowned. He didn’t exactly ‘command’ his third eye, so he simply focused on the text hovering over the entity’s head which detailed his name and level. The notification’s words blurred and changed slightly.

Force an Ordeal on Sky-Father Vayan?

“I read a System notification saying I can force an ordeal on you, whatever that means,” Simon said.

“Force?” Vayan recoiled slightly, while his Shaman stared at Simon as if he had grown a second head. “Are you sure? Did you read it correctly?”

“I’m sure.” Simon assumed it was a bad thing from the eidolon’s reaction. “What’s an Ordeal?”

“More warlike eidolons do not negotiate terms with a would-be summoner, and instead put their strength to the test,” Belzemine explained. “An Ordeal is a duel where the eidolon agrees to lend its power to the summoner should they lose. This usually involves the eidolon trapping the would-be contractor in a demiplane akin to an Abyssal Domain until one side prevails.”

“But neither Visionaries nor summoners can force one on an eidolon,” Vayan said with unease. “This is very odd indeed. Still, only individuals capable of forming a contract with an eidolon can participate in an Ordeal. Truly puzzling…”

“What would forming a contract with you involve, Lord Vayan?” Simon inquired. “I am only passively familiar with eidolons, beyond the fact that they can answer Prayers.”

“There are three ways for an eidolon like me to lend its power to a mortal,” Vayan replied. “The first and easiest is, as you mentioned, by fulfilling a Prayer. I can lend my mana to a worshiper who then casts the spell by serving as a conduit. While anyone with sufficient faith can use them, Prayers remain spells and are subject to large limitations.”

“The second method involves forming a contract to receive a Blessing, which is a benefit unique to a given eidolon,” Ruto said. “My Shaman Class allowed me to form one with the Sky-Father to strengthen my Wind magic.”

“However, while Ruto is wise and devoted to me, his Class unfortunately cannot summon me to his side in battle,” Vayan said. “Only the Noble Summoner and Visionaries can do so, since the process involves engraving our contract into the Worldsoul itself. This is the third and ultimate boon an eidolon can bestow.”

“But if I am aligned with the Abyss, then wouldn’t our contract be engraved in it rather than the Worldsoul?” Simon inquired. “How would that work?”

“It shouldn’t,” Vayan replied bluntly. He raised a talon at Simon, a notification appearing right in front of his eyes. “Mmm…”

Form a Dark Eidolon Pact with Sky-Father Vayan?

“A Dark Eidolon Pact?” Vayan wondered, clearly reading the same thing as Simon on his own System interface. “What is this nonsense?”

“I… I have no idea,” Simon admitted. “Is it a form of contract?”

“I have never encountered such a thing… and I have a dreadful feeling about this.” Vayan pondered the issue for a moment before shaking his head. “I apologize, young Simon, but I do not think it would be wise for us to form a contract yet until I have gathered more information. I can feel a chill seize me the moment I consider going through with this ‘pact.’”

“No worries,” Simon replied, crossing his arms. “Truthfully, one of my… teachers told me that a Dark Visionary might corrupt eidolons in some way.”

“Your teacher was mistaken,” Vayan asserted with confidence. “We eidolons are the people’s wishes given power and form. The only way for me to change for the worse would be for my children to lose their way.”

Simon hoped his hopes weren’t misplaced. The Abyss’ power could do things most would consider impossible.

“I think it would be good if Simon were to refine his powers, Sky-Father,” Eole said, “Our people face many threats. This could help us a great deal.”

“Your words are wise, Eole. We must prepare for the danger ahead if this place is to remain at peace.” Vayan nodded to himself. “A Visionary’s first step towards refining their power is usually to unlock their Remembrances. Young Simon could focus on that while I investigate this pact.”

“Remembrances?” The term sounded familiar to Simon. “Aren’t those memories of past lives?”

“Indeed,” Ruto confirmed, “A soul’s memories return to the Worldsoul when they pass on, but traces of them can linger even after reincarnation. It is said that Visionaries can fully recall these past existences, recovering forgotten skills or secrets and learning the destiny the gods set for them.”

“Lady Junon should be able to unlock your Remembrances with her dryad powers,” Vayan asserted as he expanded his wings. “There is no time like the present, so let us fly to Boreas immediately. A Noble Hero languishes there as we speak, alongside the harpy queen. We ought to warn them of the coming calamity too.”

“That would be great,” Simon replied, though he didn’t miss the way Belzemine shifted uncomfortably. The prospect of going to the manatree unsettled her slightly, for obvious reasons.

For the first time in centuries, Belzemine would interact with her fellow elves without shedding their blood.