HBWnovel Chapter 645: The Star's Story - Regret
Chapter 645: The Star's Story - Regret
Chapter 645: The Star's Story - Regret
MEMORY FRAGMENT
Beneath Nerosal, 13 Years ago
The decision to join the Star cult was the easiest Arthurows had made. He was smart enough to know that the man was selling him a line, but at the same time was telling the truth when it came to the consequences to come. The festival was one big display of fakeness, but while it went on, it provided security. No crimes were committed, but also no crimes were punished.
Naturally, Arthurows had tested the theory by attempting to leave the city. It wasnt the first time hed do so. As a member of Drunkards End, he had occasionally assisted in carrying goods in and out. Everyone knew that the things carried were contraband, but didnt care. This time, when he got near the city gates, the guards stopped him. They didnt even try to hide it, telling him flat out that he was on the overseers list of people that were not to leave the city until the end of the festival. Normally, it would be the other way around, suggesting that some sort of punishment was in store. As a result, Arthurows had gone back to the cultist and agreed to join on the spot.
The first thing that the cultist gave Arthurows was a blocker ring. The items, while expensive, werent exactly illegal. Quite a few awakened used them to obtain some privacy. The Mirror Pool used them non-stop, as did all the good pick-pockets. This was the perfect way to go about the city undetected, as well as reaching places Arthurows didnt know that even existed.
Initially, they had gone to the arena. With the amount of people preparing for the official fights, it wasnt at all difficult. From there, things changed. Arthurows followed the cultist along a series of stairs and corridors to a dead end. There, he had used a ring to enter the realm of the arena andafter traveling for a few daysemerged on the other side.
I thought that you always return to the same place after leaving a realm, Arthurows said as they walked down a winding stairwell.
Normally, yes. Having a Vermillion ring changes things.
Breaking the rules. Arthurows smiled.
Just using shortcuts. Youll get one as well when you officially join.
I thought I already did.
No, youre just a hopeful. Youll get void skills soon enough and then youll have skills and trinkets youve never dreamed of.
Hed been saying that way too often. One didnt have to be a genius to know it was bullshit. Even so, Arthurows nodded. It was all a game of lies and leverage. The cultist was offering too much not to ask for something in return.
Talking about trinkets, wont the overseer know that something isnt right? Disappearing just like that cant be explained away.
Theres no way shed notice unless you point it out to her actual form. Blocker rings do more than make someone invisible to guardians. They make the guardians not notice the change as well.
How does that work, exactly?Cheêck out latest novels at novelhall.com
I cant begin to explain. Thats the Stars domain. Youll understand soon enough.
A series of tunnels continued on from the bottom of the stairwell. Even with his high perception trait, Arthurows was barely able to see what was going on. All the light the cultist had brought was a small, glowing pendant. It would have been extremely fashionable in a nightclub, though a torch it wasnt. One thing that became more and more apparent was that the architecture was very different from the surface of Nerosal. In fact, it was so different that it didnt seem to be built by humans.
Whats this place? Arthurows asked after a while. Catacombs?
City ruins. Once, there was a city here that made present day Nerosal look like a village. Originally, it was built by the copyettes.
The name sent shivers down Arthurows spine. He had been hearing rumors about the creatures since childhood. Said to be one of the banished races, they had the ability to assume any form, which they had done in their attempt to take over the world. Even now, it was said that a few had managed to escape their banishment, and were living in cities, killing people and taking their form on a whim.
Thats the reason this area is so abundant with ancient items and artifacts. Nerosal owes it existence to generations of scavengers whove dug through ruins to obtain that which they no longer can create.
Why isnt that forbidden? Arthurows felt the rage inside of him light up. Thats what got me in trouble in the first place.
Artifacts are just objects. You, with your devices, are someone whos bringing back dangerous ideas to the world. After your death, the artifacts will be highly valued, Im sure. Theyll be sought after a lot more than they are now.
That sounded like a very lawyerly way of looking at the world. Somewhere, somehow, the Moons must have degreed that it was forbidden for people to bring dangerous ideas into the world. However, nothing was said about the items themselves. Following the logic, any ancient artifact was fair game, since the knowledge regarding its creation had been lost. The moment someone successfully reverse engineered them, though, the Order of the Seven Moons would swoop into action.
All banished races had technology that appears magical to people now, the cultist continued. What few know is that they only achieved that by copying the Star. Things like railway systems, glass-metal alloys, neon-lights
Youve made all that?
Wow. Talk about shortcuts.
All awakened can invade realms after a certain point. In your case, its different. You cant conquer the domain, but rather enter it.
Like a limiting echo.
Yes, like an echo, but youre the echo.
Can I leave echoes there?
No, you cant create echoes. Thats one of the things youll lose.
It still sounded too good to be true, which made Arthurows think that it wasnt. He was undoubtedly gaining a lot, but by the sound of it, hed give a lot more. He didnt like that the cultist had forgotten to specify a limitation until asked. And that was even if he could take his word on face value. For all he knew, this would all be a lie.
Any other limitations I should know about?
A few. Youll learn all about them once you step, though.
Does that mean that if I dont like what I hear, I can still change my mind?
There was no immediate response. If this was a trick, it would have been easy for the cultists just to agree so as to get Arthurows to enter. The obvious hesitation suggested that he remained subjected to certain rules.
Im not sure, he said at last. Some have left without joining the cult, others have stayed I dont know what happens inside. Im just to lead people to the door.
So, this could be a trap.
Its not a trap.
How do you know since youve never entered? The banter was amusing, but Arthurows had pretty much made up his mind. At the end of the day, it came down to a simple binary choice. What was he willing to risk: finding out what was beyond the door or the fate expecting him once the festival was over?
Will joining the cult get the countess off my back? he asked.
Theres no changing the past. Youll still get punished, but if you join, it wont matter. Even if your powers are sealed, youll still have a way of boosting your traits. Oh, and one final thingyoull never grow old.
Well, now that you say that, I might as well enter.
Are you certain?
Yes, Im certain, Arthurows sighed. I understand the terms and conditions and am willing to hear out the real offer beyond this door. Is that enough?
The cultists stepped to the door and pressed his hand on the surface. Black ink seeped out of his hand, filling in the grooves. Even in the faint light, it was mesmerizing watching the liquid spread until both sides of the door were completely covered. Once that was done, the door cracked open; not fully, but only enough for a person to squeeze through.
The Star is expecting you, the cultist said.
I bet he is, Arthurows smirked and walked through.
The room he entered was completely dark, but even so, he could see everything there. All objects and furniture were somehow even darker, standing out from the standard darkness. The sensation was alien, making Arthurows stomach churn.
Nice of you to have joined me, a voice said. It had no accent or distinguishing features. Listening to it, Arthurows couldnt even tell whether it was male or female. I take it youve accepted the offer?
Arthurows opened his mouth, but before he could make a sound, strands of blackness shot out from everywhere, piercing his body like a pincushion.
I truly hope you enjoyed the time you spent so far.
YOU HAVE BEEN CONSUMED