Consent of Arcana (Part 2)

Chapter 13

Consent of Arcana (Part 2)

The residence was clean and minimalistic. Decorated with statues made of wood, the house held rich history within its walls. The elder led both Ella and AJ into her guest room, which opened up to the backyard. The rain falling endlessly, make the entire atmosphere serene. Instead of taking a seat, Ella bowed her head. AJ did the same. The old woman, patted their heads before planting a kiss each

"Master, he's my son, Ajax Maxwell", Ella teared up, "I always wanted you meet him"

"You have an uncanny resemblance to your mother", she held AJ's face in her soft hands, "runemasters are hated by the world. Yet you've decided to walk this path, child"

"I've yet to experience injustice, so I'm unaware of the pain it causes. This is what I chose, because I need this power to move forward", AJ spoke with resolve

"And what do you hope to achieve?", Ella's mentor asked

"The realization of a selfish dream", AJ smiled

As if she saw through him, the old woman smiled as well, "Ajax, My name's Rita Warsawa. I'm glad I got to meet you", turning around and approaching Ella, she placed her hand on Ella's stomach, "I'm glad to meet you, as well"

Rita recited a spell, a runic circle formed and made its way to Ella's pregnant belly, "it's a protection spell of the highest tier. My time is approaching an end. I'm happy to see you healthy and happy, Chickpea"

Rita brought out black tea, which was a cultural drink of the people of Swaa. It tasted bitter, yet soothing. Rita told stories of Ella's persistence, determination, and carelessness. The women laughed, argued and teased

When the full moon's pale light glimmered, both Rita and Ella started to recite. AJ was asked to carefully watch and learn. The recitation continued for six complete hours, before a large runic circle formed. Its blue light cracked a hole in space, forming a portal with runic letters floating at its circumference

"To us, you'll be gone for exactly five seconds", Rita gently placed her hand on AJ's back, "when I stepped into the portal, I saw a seed grow into a humongous tree for an entire decade"

"And I floated among the clouds, and saw the world beneath change seasons for an entire centaury", Ella held her son's hand and guided him closer to the portal, "you'll experience something different. Stay brave, we'll be waiting"

AJ stepped into the portal and was sucked into complete darkness. He felt nothing. Time was absent, and so were the other laws of the universe. AJ somehow knew death didn't exist anymore, neither did life. His consciousness was breaking apart, seizing to ever be. He was losing his memories, and another distinct essence of himself that encompassed who he was

'Who am I?'

'I?'

'…'

Nothing remained

'It shall be then,

when all seems done,

the lost will bring forth, destruction and rebirth'

These words were never spoken, they simply were. AJ formed again; and a scene burst open. Countless realities surrounded him; each separated by a translucent break. He saw the life of a warrior, riding mammoths, and conquering lands. He experienced a boy, living in an advanced civilization, board a spaceship, and explore different planets. The life of an average man, as he built his daughter a swing, attended her school festivals, watched her graduate, walked her down the aisle and died reading a book. He experienced an overwhelming number of other lives, before it came to an abrupt stop

A man stared back at Ajax. An average-looking, young man with brown hair and brown eyes. It was 'him' in his previous life. A young, physicist with a hobby of making music. No words were said, but a lot was conveyed

When it was complete darkness again, his status window appeared

[Sacrifice Divinity?]

[Yes/No]

After contemplating for a while, AJ decided to press 'Yes'

A few minutes after a loading icon circled,

[Pure Truth unlocked]

[Wand manifested]

A searing pain engulfed AJ's senses

ZING!

He was back in Rita's home. When he opened his eyes, he saw his mother and Rita worryingly stare at him

Rushing over and tightly hugging him, Ella spoke in a sob, "you were gone for an entire day. What happened?"

He raised his head, but suddenly blacked out for a second. A painful headache dominated him. It felt like his head was being pounded by a metal bat over and over again. When he looked at his mother, he was bombarded with information. He saw her Status screen, her mana core, her worrying thoughts, as texts above her head. The air was a jumble of lines crisscrossing each other. Like an ever-moving fluid. Everything was connected

Staring at him, Ella anxiously turned to her mentor, "my son's eyes", she pointed

AJ's eyes had no pupil, no irises. It was a golden kaleidoscope of patterns

"Mom, I see it all. It's too much", AJ shut his eyes close

After the panic dissipated, AJ explained his experience, leaving out a few details. He told them of his sacrifice, and this shocked them. Rita had never heard of such a thing. He kept his eyes closed, but he could see, clearly.

"I'll stich you a blindfold. Wear it, till you grow accustomed to your power", Ella patted him, while AJ was engrossed by his Status Window

---Status Window---

Name: Ajax Maxwell

Age: 12

Sex: Male

Rank: C-

Rune: Pure Truth: [???]

Soul-bond: Amanda

Amanda's Divinity: [Sound Manipulation: User can create and manipulate sound]