Chapter 13: Shadows of the Past

Kael strode through the open gates of the fortress of the Harbingers; his footsteps echoed off the cold stone floor. Within, air was heavy and tinged with tension-so thick, really, that it seemed almost audible-a palpable anticipation that seemed to reverberate even within the structure itself. Dark banners flapped against walls at him, as if a wind blew from nowhere. Each bore the same symbol-the mark of Dissonance.

He had glanced towards the shadows, unseen eyes that watched every move he made. Yet Kael kept still, still unreadable. The oppressive aura of the place clung to everything within these walls, twisted energy: unlike anything he'd ever met before, the kind of force that seemed to seep into the very bones of the fortress itself.

So the Legacy of the Cosmos said no more and Kael stepped out alone into that darkened world. Nothing it could say could prepare him for what awaited him. Not because it was dangerous, but because it was Kael's time to meet what stood in his way on his passage through life.

As he climbed up the long, curving staircase, Kael's mind replayed the village he had left behind and its people with their peaceful lives against the darkness into which he ventured. From an existential view of things, the Harbingers formed a threat to everything they had built. But Kael was well aware that it was too good to beat the leader of the Harbingers so easily, at least not yet. The fight had to go on his side.

And finally, he stepped to the last of the stairs and pulled out towards the creaking door, which swung open all by itself. And there, beyond, stood a huge dimly lit space. Behind the black stone throne carved at the room's center was a figure draped in shadow.

He was the leader of the Harbingers of Dissonance.

"You've come," said the figure, its voice smooth, deep, and calm. It was a voice that commanded attention, not with force but through presence. "I've been expecting you, Kael."

Kael took a few steps forward but did not draw too near; his eyes narrowed as he tried to discern the face beneath the shadowy hood. "You knew I was coming?"

He sat back in his chair, folding his hands over himself. "I know much," he said. "I knew you would be drawn here, as certainly as the sun rises and sets. It is inevitable, given what you are."

"What am I?" Kael asked again, his voice smooth but laced with curiosity, "And what do you think that is?

He furrowed his brows, laughing quietly. "You know the answer to that already. You're the Infinite Ascendant-the one at the tip of everything. But you are something else. a disruptor."

Anger flared in the depths of his eyes, a flame tempered to a faint trace now. "Disruptor? If anyone's disrupting the balance in this world, it is you and your Harbingers. What do you want? Why bring destruction to the innocent?

Not a word. He rose from the throne slowly, went outwards. The shadows retreated for him as wet skin re leases its hold, stark-relieved, a man of sharp features, angular, eyes that burned with an eerie, unearthly light. His features were fine, almost regal, yet he moved in such a way that was profoundly unnerving; it was as if he trod between worlds.

"My name is Orion," the man said, his voice laced with authority. "And we are not the villains you think us to be. We are here to save the world, Kael-not destroy it."

Kael narrowed his eyes, fists clenched tight at his sides. "Save it? By tearing everything to pieces?

Orion's lips curled into a wan smile; but it was not warm. "Sometimes to rebuild you must tear down what has been broken. The world as it stands now is a fragile illusion built on forces long since passed the purpose for which they were created. You, of all beings, should know this.".

I know he's right, Kael said steadfastly. But balance is not born of the destruction of one part for the other's survival. Balance is born of the understanding, the unity.

Orion cocked his head to one side, a dancing light flickering within his eye that could be amusement. "Unity is an illusion," he said. "You can't have unity in an infinite possibilities scenario. There is only chaos, and it is from this chaos we bring order."

Kael stepped forward again. The energy still danced under the surface, still unexplored. "Your order is founded upon fear and suffering."

Orion's smile flattened, became stone-cold. "Fear? Maybe. But suffering? Ah, a matter of perspective. Weakness will always suffer. The strong will thrive. And you. you are one of the strong."

.".

Kaell's anger sparked, but he squeezed it into subjection. Orion wasn't going to push him to it. Not here. Not now. "This has nothing to do with strength," he whispered but certainly. "It has to do with choice."

Orion's eyes narrowed. "Choice?

Kael nodded, not taking his eyes from hers. "Choices define us," he said. "You've chosen to sail this tide of anarchy and destruction to engineer your twisted vision of order. Not going to happen."

It was silent, the air between them heavy with tension, for one moment. Orion's laughter had grown louder, softer, a low, almost mocking sound, and he wiped his eyes when it faded away.

You think you can stop me? he sneered. You think your power alone will alter the course of this world?

Kael's face was as expressionless as ever. "I don't need power to change the world," he said. "All I need is a reason. And I do."

Orion's laughter trailed off into silence, and for the first time a glimmer of uncertainty crossed his eyes. He looked at Kael for a long moment, his face a mask. Then, slowly, he took a step backward, hands clasped behind him.

"Well, then,"

he said, his voice low. "Perhaps we will see just how far your purpose takes you."

Kael watched as Orion settled himself back on his throne, shadows spreading up around him. "This world is already at the edge,"

Orion murmured. "You've sensed it, haven't you? The dissonance in the air. The Harbingers only hastened the inevitable,

Kael furrowed his eyebrows together, in his heart feeling something which pushed him to believe Orion. For months now there has been a sort of instability in the energy of the world, a balance that he knew himself had stood previously to entering the fortress.

"I will stop you," he sneered, "no matter what it takes.".

Again Orion's lips curled up at that cold smile of his. "I'm sure you will try," he said. "But know this, Kael-there are powers at work here which even you can't affect. The dissonance will build up, either you want it to or not. And when it does, nothing you hold within your power will be enough to stand against it.".

Kael fell silent as he stared at Orion; their eyes seemed glued on one other. He couldn't tell what the leader of the Harbingers had prepared for him, but he knew the scuffle that had only just begun passed through just now.

No word, however, was ever uttered. Kael turned and walked away, the heavy doors of the chamber slamming shut behind him. Orion's eyes stayed fixed on his back as he walked away. But Kael did not look back.

It wasn't going to be an easy road forward, but one thing Kael was sure of-he'd not walk it alone. Legacy of the Cosmos hummed softly in his head reminding him that even in his darkest moments he was not alone.

Out into the fresh air of the open, Kael stepped back. A weight presses in upon his chest. He didn't falter, however. He couldn't. Too much was at stake.

The time of strife was approaching. But not now, no. Today was when Kael would prepare himself, gather strength, gather allies, and what little will he had in him. For when the time did come, he'll be prepared.

Soon enough, he'd run into the Harbingers, and the day ahead would make sure for Kael that it was the tomorrow of the world-not in the shards of the world.

With a last yearning stretch of his hand to touch once more the briefest flicker of a glance at the dark fortress one last time, Kael vanished into the fading light to dig his mark forward.