by Ink Bamboo
“I’m going to rest. I have to get ready to assist the cardinal in the afternoon. He’ll probably call for me to discuss the results of the ritual.”
Unwilling to take no for an answer, the old man persisted, “Would you like me to come with you? You know my expertise could be of use.”
Erin stopped for a second as she considered the proposal. Magnus Rendheart, a former Grand Wizard now working for the church. He had lead the Kingdom of Ionia’s mage division until the Church of Light performed a coup, turning the kingdom into a theocracy. If not for her being selected as the Chosen of the church, he might have been executed along with the rest of the mages in the kingdom. Of course, she was ignorant of that last detail.
That being said, there was no doubt in the old man’s knowledge when it came to magic formations. He might be of use.
After making her mind, Erin finally gave him an answer, “I’ll discuss it with the cardinal. I can’t agree on such a matter on my own.”
Magnus sighed in relief. Few things worried him as much as being given the cold shoulder by his only descendant. The mighty disposition he had carried in his youth was no more. He was now a pawn, someone who lived only to take care of his granddaughter as her aide, and more importantly, as her guardian.
The fact that he wasn’t executed and was allowed to guard her was something he felt endlessly grateful for. Without a mother or a father, he was the only family she had left on this world. Stepping back and leaving her alone in the hands of the church was something he had no intention of letting happen any time soon.
“Thanks,” he said simply. He knew his granddaughter valued her time almost as much as her faith. “I’ll be waiting for you in my studio. Call for me when the time comes.”
Erin, however, didn’t answer. She just kept walking towards her room once again lost in her thoughts. Her golden hair flowed from side to side as she left Magnus to his own.
The old mage sighed as he watched her leave. He could still recall the days where she had been full of joy and glee. Back then she was just a young and innocent child. He would give her a ride on his shoulders wherever they went. Her giggles resounding behind them as he ran.
“Go faster, faster!” she would yell. Magnus would then do his best to oblige with no regard for his status. Alas, once she was chosen as a vessel to the Goddess of Light, all of that had been left behind. He was sure she no longer held her memories of that time.
The power of the church had risen far too much in the past decades, eroding the influence and power the nobles had once held. Once they secured their position within the hearts of the populace, they quickly rose in rebellion, taking down the royal family and many of the unbelievers amongst the nobility.
Magnus could still recall how his son-in-law died resisting the church’s troops. He would have gone down the same road if he had not been the only one who remained to protect Erin.
Someday, Erin. Someday I’ll find a way to free you from this church, the goddess, and everyone who seeks to bind you.
Chapter 02
Divinations.
Magnus sat in his studio awaiting Erin’s call. The crude wooden walls were a deep contrast from the gilded marble and stone that made up the rest of the buildings in his surroundings. Even then, such a simple abode caused him no displeasure. He could endure the cold as long as his granddaughter was being treated adequately.
Magnus knew he was in no position to ask for luxuries from the church. After all, he was once one of the biggest threats that the church had to fight against when establishing themselves in this territory.
Mages fought for truth and knowledge, whilst the clergy fought to keep those secrets to their gods and their followers alone. Fundamentally, both paths were bound to clash against each other. But now that was all of little consequence, for he had chosen to make a deal — he would serve the church in exchange for a chance to remain by Erin’s side as her guardian.
Since the church cared for their Chosen, having a Grand Wizard taking care of one for free was seen as an acceptable compromise.
Sitting with a cup of tea by his side, Magnus decided to keep working on his own side-projects. It would be some time before he was called, but a mage’s pursuit for the truth knew no rest. He took out several scrolls of papyrus and a few gilded quills, placing them with care by his side.
These were personal possessions he had been able to receive only because of his granddaughter’s intervention. The clergy wouldn’t be able to deny him that much after he swore an oath to protect Erin. Even more so considering they’d added a clause promising he wouldn’t raise his hand against the church for the rest of his life.
Those from the clergy knew that his allegiance was to Erin, not to them. Not that it mattered anymore, not even Magnus would be able to fight the strength of the church on his own. His old comrades were no more.
With swift movements of his hand, the ink soon left its mark on the papyrus. Strokes of black grew into complex magic formations that created a picture in the scroll. Each movement carried a life’s worth of experience behind it, a level of skill few had been able to reach.
But Magnus wasn’t satisfied with his work. He frowned, using his mana to ignite a flame that turned the paper into ashes.
This isn’t it, he thought. Why can’t I figure this out? What’s so special about him?
After spending much effort, he had been able to peer into the stream of fate. Using the stars’ guidance, he had been able to see his and his granddaughter’s future intertwined with someone else’s. Whether that was good or bad, however, remained to be seen.
He had tried divining it over and over again without much success. The fate surrounding this person was muddled under endless layers of complexity. The only other time he had seen something like this was when he had tried to delve into the future of the Church of Light’s upper echelons. Those who had reached certain levels of achievements in the divine or the mystic arts could often protect themselves against prophecies.
Complexity, however, wasn’t something big enough to deter him. Even if it took him the rest of his life, he was dead set on deciphering this particular string of fate. His life was a small price to pay in exchange for the chance to free his granddaughter.
Three years of brainwashing by the church had been enough to erode most of Erin’s mind. Soon, all that would be left of her would be a shadow of her former self. Once that happened, there would be no going back.
Magnus knew the whispers of a god were hard to fight. Even he had trouble fighting the influence of demons when he had delved into the darkest paths of magic. If even such a powerful mage as him had nearly succumbed, how then would a young girl endure the undivided attention of a god?
The clock was ticking and Magnus wasn’t one to stand idly by. He opened another scroll of papyrus and continued his divinations.
Somehow, I have to breakthrough somehow.
Slowly, a pile of ashes formed next to his desk. Fortunately, the soft streams of air entering through the cracks in the wall were enough to dissipate the smoke left behind by the burning scrolls, taking away with them the smell of his failure.
“Damn it!” Magnus couldn’t help but curse. Only through hope did his hands keep moving, sometimes almost mechanically, unfurling yet another scroll on his desk.
I have no choice, this is Erin’s only hope.
His brush kept drawing and his mind kept making sense of things. If one attempt wasn’t enough, he would try yet again. If one thousand attempts failed, he would still keep on trying. Persistence was a mage’s greatest virtue, and Magnus wasn’t going to turn into an exception.
Finally, a rough silhouette started taking place. If his previous attempts could be called masterpieces, this one could barely be called a sketch. However, Magnus’s expression betrayed the aesthetic value of his work. A gleeful smile rarely seen in the mage revealed how valuable this unfinished divination truly was. It proved a theory, and with it, it proved there was hope.
“So that’s the reason,” Magnus said, laughing to himself. “I was wrong to insist on reading this person’s fate. When someone’s fate is protected, it’s best to read the flow of those around him. It might be harder, but divining the fate of others might serve the purpose of finding what he’s up to just as well. I just need to find the right target on whom to focus my efforts.”
Fate was never meant to be something humans could delve into. The heaven’s path was one full of treachery and uncertainty. Going against what was predestined meant carrying a burden far too big for most. However, every once in a blue moon, someone would be desperate enough to try — foolish enough to accept the endeavour. Magnus was such a person, and his efforts had finally paid off.
*Knock, knock*
However, his celebration would have to wait. A soft knock on the door had interrupted his train of thoughts, causing him to instinctively use spatial magic to hide the piece of papyrus in his hands. Not only was delving into the stream of fate a sin in the eyes of the gods, but this particular divination involved his granddaughter’s freedom, something the Church of Light would not take kindly to.
A stern voice came from outside the door, “Hey spell-flinger, the cardinal requests your presence in his chambers. Do not make his holiness wait.”
“Understood, I’ll be there immediately,” answered Magnus. The cardinal often turned a blind eye to his magical experiments, but that was bound to change. He couldn’t afford to be careless at a time like this.
Not after this breakthrough.
Magnus left the small cabin after changing into his best robe. The gleeful expression he had displayed when accompanying his granddaughter was replaced by a stern look of concealed apathy against the church. Deep down, he was unwilling to display anything that could be considered a weakness in front of this church’s leader.
Unlike how his public persona was perceived, the cardinal held a very dangerous disposition. Back when the Church of Light was taking control of his kingdom, the cardinal was single-handedly responsible for the defeat of the Mage Corps.
But that wasn’t what worried Magnus. The cardinal had another identity, one that was many times more threatening to him — Erin’s personal teacher.
Each of Magnus’s steps served to temper his heart. He had to be ready when facing the man responsible for managing his granddaughter’s daily life. One wrong step and both of their lives could become forfeit — such was the burden of his role.
A Chosen was a unique existence, yes, but even this status had its limitations.
At some point, whilst lost in his thoughts, Magnus finally arrived to his destination. The attendant next to him knocked on a beautifully crafted door as he announced their arrival.
“Your holiness,” he said. “I’ve brought the mage, as you requested.”
A gentle and warm voice came from inside, answering the attendant, “Thank you, Jordan. Your help is appreciated.”
“No thanks needed, your holiness. It’s my duty to serve,” answered the man. Unlike the tone he had used towards Magnus, his voice was now full of respect and awe. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be taking my leave.”
“Please, I know you must be busy,” answered the voice from inside the room, “carry on.”
The attendant bowed towards the closed door before taking his leave. Without being given permission, Magnus would not open the entry to the cardinal’s chambers. Offending the cardinal was akin to offending the church itself. There was only one punishment for trespassers — death.
After a few seconds, the same warm voice came from within the room. “Go ahead, Magnus,” it said. “I’ve never known you to be that reserved, it doesn’t suit your character.”
Magnus, however, didn’t let his guard down at the cardinal’s words. Was there a meaning behind them?
People at the level of the cardinal usually placed great importance in words. Something said casually could easily bring both blessings and disasters. As such, even a small comment carried great implications.
That being said, the cardinal wasn’t planning on giving Magnus the time to think about his words. A quick set of instructions forced Magnus to push open the doors.
“Don’t overthink it, Magnus. Erin and I are waiting for you inside.”
As Magnus entered the room, he saw his granddaughter facing a table unlike his own. Not only was it adorned by gold leaf, the books placed atop it seemed both ancient and valuable — surely part of the cardinal’s private collection.
The opulent decorations inside the room were enough to feed a family of commoners for several lifetimes if sold. However, their value hadn’t distracted Magnus from carefully checking his granddaughter, assuring himself that the cardinal hadn’t done anything to her.
As always, she was focused on a small parchment of the church’s scriptures. Her diligence was second only to her faith.
Alas.
Only after carefully observing Erin did Magnus’s gaze turn to the third person in the room: the cardinal. The old man’s gentle face was different from the one engraved in Magnus’s heart. A carefully crafted persona used to manipulate the heart of the masses.
A heartless devil.
Magnus believed the old man was willing to do anything for his church and his goddess. Sacrificing the innocent wasn’t beyond his methods. That’s why he couldn’t help but feel apprehensive by having his granddaughter in a room with that man at her side.
Seeing Magnus’s eyes jump from Erin to himself, the old man smiled, acting like he was ignorant of Magnus’s thoughts. He swirled the tea in his cup as he gave Magnus time to order his thoughts. He was completely at ease even in Magnus’s presence.
They had once been enemies, but the cardinal knew Magnus was now nothing more than a lap-dog. One he could control through his apprentice.
Thus, not a trace of resentment displayed in the face of the cardinal as he chose to break the silence. “I’m glad you could make it in time,” he said. “I was just discussing something with Erin when your name came up.”
The cardinal took a sip of his tea before continuing, “As you may have heard, our Lady of Light helped us cleanse the malignant artifact. It is now under our control. Therefore, it is time to make use of it.”
“I know that much,” said Magnus. “I was standing guard outside the room of rituals.”
Magnus’s tone was sharp and straight to the point. Every second spent in the cardinal’s presence increased the chance of his underlying machinations being revealed. Facing the cardinal, he had no intentions to dally.
“The artifact has already been cleansed. I don’t see how this issue is related to Erin anymore.”
“I was getting to that,” answered the cardinal, indirectly warning Magnus to hold his tongue. There was a limit to his tolerance. “My lady has revealed to me a piece of wisdom from the gods. It involves both you and Erin.”
“A divination?” asked Magnus. It was rare for a god to care enough to divine about the mortal world, much less to share that information with a mortal.
Is it related to the one I was performing earlier?
“Yes, a divination,” answered the Cardinal. “She has instructed us to begin a third crusade in this land. This time we will be aiming for Nyx, our neighboring empire.”
“Nyx? Why there?” questioned Magnus. Isn’t that Kingdom falling on its own? Why would the goddess place her attention on such a small and barren land?
“It is not our duty to question her will,” answered the cardinal. His warm tone betrayed the pressure he exerted on Magnus. “We are simple pawns moving to accomplish her sacred desires. Do you understand?”
Magnus looked at his granddaughter. She was still focused on the scriptures, seemingly unaware to the battle of wills happening right beside her. Breathing in, he suppressed his desire to fight the cardinal as he gave an answer, “Understood, your holiness.”
The pressure over Magnus’s shoulders eased greatly. The cardinal was satisfied with his change in attitude eve
n if it was only a superficial charade.
“I’m glad you understand my lady’s greatness, Magnus,” the cardinal said. “You know, my offer still remains. You could officially join our ranks if you renounce your evil path. Your talent in the cursed arts would make you a great priest.”
Magnus, however, wasn’t willing to fall into that conversation. It would benefit him in no way to walk down that road. “Your holiness,” he said, interrupting the cardinal. “I’m afraid you were just about to tell me of your lady’s will.”
The cardinal’s gaze went blank for a second before regaining its usual brightness. “You are right, I apologize. She commanded us to start an expedition against Nyx in order to bring our faith to that land of sin and corruption.”
“I still don’t understand how that would involve Erin, your highness. I alone am enough to lead such an expedition,” replied Magnus. Nyx’s military was split at the moment between those defending the ruling class and those fighting to overthrow them.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Magnus,” the cardinal said, a wicked smile creeping on his face. “This will be a Trial of Light for Erin.”
Magnus’s expression turned cold, the flame of rebellion in his heart rekindling itself. His fist had started clenching so hard the imprint of his nails could be seen on his hands.
“Hold it, Magnus,” said the cardinal. “It was Erin herself who asked our goddess for it, not me.”
Magnus was frozen in shock. If his granddaughter asked for this, then there was no going back. Oaths made in a god’s name had restrictions very few could break.
“That’s right, Guardian,” said Erin, closing the scriptures she had been reading for the past few minutes. “I’ve made the oath already. I felt it was time for me to continue spreading my lady’s faith.”
The cardinal puffed his chest with pride as he spoke his mind, “As you can see, Magnus, my apprentice is a great follower of our lady’s will. Such willingness to spread our lady’s faith is befitting of our church’s Chosen. Do you not agree?”