Chapter 4: Fallen God, Sealed God

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Upon hearing Kael's words, Liora's gloved fingers tensed ever so slightly, the only visible crack in her calm exterior. Her golden eyes locked onto Kael with the intensity of a predator assessing its prey. The room seemed to freeze, silence following Kael's assertiveness.

The image of the disaster that happened a year ago immediately flashed on everyone's mind. 

A humanoid figure with an ash grey complexion, its face twisted and void of any human features, its spiky pure white hair radiating a faint glow, and carrying a sword on its hip. Its devilish and oppressive aura deserved such a title, truly a white devil. 

The image was burned into them, from its featureless head to its exposed leanly muscular chest full of scars, all the way down to its torn deep gray robes that covered it from the waist down. The being that wrecked their clan, it resembled a human physically, yet its aura was nothing a mortal could ever hope to replicate.

Amidst the chaos back then, a bizarre material had made its appearance as the monster seemed to be moving directly towards its location, almost unconsciously, disregarding any obstacle in front of it. 

"You speak boldly for a guest under my roof, Sir Kael," Liora said, her voice sharp enough to cut through the tension, yet wrapped in enough civility to avoid arousing outright hostility. "Trust is not a currency spent lightly, especially when it concerns matters so delicate."

The elders exchanged glances, their expressions a mosaic of surprise, unease and restrained anger. Some among them were aware of the object Kael mentioned; others were left guessing its true value.

Thorne, leaning back in his chair, casually twirled his coin before catching it mid-air. His voice was dry, almost dismissive. "And why exactly should we believe this horn belongs to you? Or that your intentions for it won't bring us even greater misfortune?"

He spoke with confidence, as one of the few who truly understood the significance of the horn. This was no ordinary material, but a dragon horn—a relic whose very existence carried immense weight.

Tess grasped the armrests with her wrinkled fingers, giving Kael a piercing gaze. Her old but sharp eyes seemed to look right through him. "What you're asking for is no small thing, young man. If you know the price we paid, you must also know the weight of what you're demanding. What guarantees can you offer us?"

Sebastian, the archivist, leaned forward slightly. His tone was more curious than accusatory. "If I may," he began after clearing his throat, "you seem to know more about the artifact —and the 'white devil,' as you call it— than we do. Perhaps you should start by explaining how you came by such knowledge."

Liora raised a hand to silence the murmurs growing among the group. Her voice regained its measured calm, though her words carried an undeniable edge. "This horn, it is more than a mere artifact to us. It's a symbol of sacrifice. A burden we chose to bear to protect our people. If you truly seek trust, Sir Kael, you must give us a little more than a promise."

The room seemed to settle, but one question from Yselda ignited the tension anew.

"The white devil, what sort of being is it?"

In an instant, the mood shifted. Some elders' faces turned somber; others' gazes hardened. A chill ran down Aurelia's spine, her grip on the fur of Storm, laying by her side, tightening. She had experienced it personally —she had seen the devastation. Meanwhile, Lyssara stood emotionless by the matriarch, her indifferent gaze fixed on the far wall.

Kael's eyes lingered on the table for a moment, his expression unreadable. Across from him, Liora felt a drop of sweat begin to form on her brow. She remembered her husband's words vividly —a sentence written in the inheritance of the Dawnblades.

"In the innermost layer of the forest lies a sealed god. Be wary of his wrath, for even the remnants of his existence can bring destruction. To think the forest hid such a mystery." Ryker Dawnblade, her husband and former patriarch, had once explained to her.

Kael's voice pulled Liora back to the present.

"A fallen god." he said calmly.

Liora's teeth clenched imperceptibly. Her worst assumptions were being confirmed.

Kael continued "A soul anchored down by resentment, forced to endure through remnant divine mana and guided by instinct."

The room fell into silence. The elders, each harboring significant power and knowledge, were processing the enormity of what Kael had just revealed. To attain a high position in the family, one relied on skill, contributions, and sheer determination. Bloodline alone was never enough.

"Indeed, that was no mere beast." Liora finally broke the silence. "The way it utilized mana was calculated and refined, unlike a wild monster."

Her words earned quiet nods from some while others remained still, the weight of the discussion settling heavily over them.

Tess's sharp gaze locked onto Kael. "Then you have a way to deal with this creature?" she asked, her voice probing.

"Killing it is not easy," Kael admitted, his tranquil expression showing no sign of doubt, "but very much achievable."

Liora took a deep breath, her golden eyes narrowing as she scrutinized Kael's calm demeanor. The tension was palpable as some of the elders exchanged hushed whispers. Doubts lingered in the room, but Kael's unshakable confidence was a force in and of itself.

Finally, Liora spoke again. "And you need the horn in order to conquer it? A dragon horn's value is equal to our entire clan —a material that is going extinct."

("Dragon horn!") The elders who had not known of the artifact's true nature were struck speechless. They had seen its usefulness, yet could not assess its origin. 

Pure dragons were nearly extinct, their ability to reproduce lost, only a few remained. The horn's value exceeded anything else the clan possessed, it even exceeded the value of the current clan!

Kael remained unfazed by the collective shock. His gaze stayed steady, unwavering. "If it were simply a matter of value, I wouldn't ask for it." he said, his voice calm yet resolute. "But this horn's worth goes far beyond its material cost. It is not something I can give up on, even if I must resort to more forceful methods."

A flicker of confusion crossed Liora's face before she quickly masked it. "Forceful?" she echoed, her voice tight with irritation.

Aurelia shifted uneasily, her eyes darting between her mother and Kael. She felt the mounting tension keenly, the realization dawning on her that this was no mere negotiation —it was an ultimatum.

Kael chuckled, a low sound that contrasted sharply with the suffocating atmosphere.

Suddenly, an unseen pressure gripped the room. The majority of the elders, save for Sebastian and Yselda, flinched as if their hearts had been seized by an invisible force. Storm growled softly at Aurelia's feet, sensing her rising unease, yet both seemingly unaffected.

This was no ordinary oppressive force —it was suffocatingly deliberate, sharper than the chaotic wrath that the white devil had unleashed during its attack. Where the devil's presence was wild and erratic, like a storm tearing through the land, this was controled by a crushing, surgical precision. 

It felt as though the air itself had become a vice, pressing down on their chests, as though every breath they took was at Kael's mercy.

Tess's cane clattered to the floor, and Thorne's coin slipped from his hand, landing noisily on the table.

Lyssara's gaze landed on Kael for the first time, emotionless yet calculative.

Liora was feeling the pressure as well, yet remained still, stealing a glimpse at Yselda's concerned gaze.

Only Aurelia seemed to look at something different, a faint glow around Kael that the others didn't seem to be able to notice.

Yselda had instinctively looked at her disciple, as a low ranked mage, the pressure would overwhelm her. However, the girl did not seem to be affected, staring at Kael with disbelieving eyes. Something different from the pressure was troubling her.

A few years ago, she was given the opportunity to teach the youngest daughter of the family, Aurelia, and although her progress was slow, Yselda felt she was hiding more than she let on.

Yselda turned her head away from her student, her calm voice cut through the tension. "This is not mana?" she questioned out loud, not expecting an answer.

Indeed, if it had been mana, any of the elders would have detected it. This was something far more mysterious, unsettling even their most practiced composure. It resembled the fallen god's presence, yet it was entirely different, almost tangible!

"This horn..." Kael said, his casual smile dissappearing into what could only be described as a moment of melancholy, perhaps even sorrow. "Its worth cannot be captured by something as simple as a price."

In a moment, everyone exchanged glances, unsure of the man's meaning.

Liora glanced at Lyssara, who met her gaze for a brief moment. A silent exchange passed between them, as if communicating through their gazes, before Liora turned back to Kael, her expression having stiffened slightly.

"Sir Kael," she began carefully, as if she had realised a hidden meaning "I have yet to ask; for what reason did you enter the forest?"

Kael's response was slow, deliberate. His lips curled into a reminiscent smile. "I was sealed inside."

The revelation made Liora shiver. Her mind raced as the pieces fell into place. 

A year ago, a monster wielding divine mana had emerged from the forest, breaking the outer seal. It devastated both the clan and the surrounding terrain, the impacts of the battle still visible around the fortress. The prophecy in the clan's records had seemed clear —but Kael's words revealed a much darker truth that she only just now realised; The white devil was not their greatest threat.

Fear flickered in Liora's golden eyes. She now understood the difference in status for the first time. The man before her was not simply asking for the horn; he was demanding it.

"Your presence holds power, Sir Kael." She said, her voice now carefully measured, attempting to mask her turbulent emotions. "It seems your words carry a heavier weight than we realized."

The elders stared at the matriarch with a perplexed look, questioning the meaning of her words. Amidst the tension, they did not notice the sublte change in her expression.

Kael's voice remained steady as he replied, "I do not wish to make enemies of you. But as I said, this is no longer a request."

Liora's hands grew damp under her gloves as she fought to maintain composure. The meaning of those words, its weight was now several times that of before. 

Finally, she nodded, her voice carrying a note of submission. She opened her deep red lips to speak "Of course, Sir Kael. Since the horn is yours, it is only right for us to return it to you."

"What?" Thorne exclaimed in disbelief, echoed by murmurs of astonishment from the others.

Roderic was staying quiet, stealing glances at the matriarch's eyes. He spotted the hint of fear in them, which caused him to reevaluate the situation.

Liora ignored them, her tone growing friendlier as she pressed Kael further. "Then may I ask how you plan on dealing with the white devil?"

Kael noticed her change in demeanor but completely dismissed it and answered unhurriedly "A dragon's innate ability is purification —cleansing tainted mana and restoring balance to nature." he began, his tone steady and calm. "The horn is needed not just for its power, but for its role in dispersing the fallen god's chaotic mana."

Tess's mind was in deep thought as she used magic, a rank four spell, [Telekinesis] to lift her cane from the ground, flying right into her arms.

The mention of the horn caused several of the elders to stir uneasily. Thorne leaned forward this time, his brow furrowed deeply. "Disperse chaotic mana…? The horn does more than channel power?"

Kael's gaze didn't waver. "A dragon horn isn't just a relic of immense magical potency —it's a catalyst. The material's main property is to absorb and neutralize divine mana. A dragon's body, particularly its horns, is an embodiment of balance. It harmonizes with mana on a level that no mortal artifact could ever equal."

The explanation seemed to weigh heavily on the room. Tess, a renowed alchemist, nodded slowly as her mind worked through the implications. "So, the horn doesn't merely resonate with mana." she said, half-speaking to herself. "It stabilizes it. That's why its properties are unmatched when it comes to divine or chaotic sources."

"And you believe this relic can suppress the white devil's remnant divine mana?" her tone became softer, acknowledging the depth of his insight.

Kael gave a single, deliberate nod. "Not suppress, it will scatter it. Divine mana, particularly when corrupted, forms a kind of shell around the soul. That shell must be dismantled before the soul can be confronted directly. The horn will allow that shell to be dismantled without letting the chaotic mana spread uncontrollably, which would cause destruction."

"Disperse the divine shell of mana..." Tess's voice was quiet now, her hand resting on her cane. "And then you would handle the rest?" Her tone remained skeptical, though there was a note of reluctant curiosity beneath it.

"Yes." Kael said simply. "A remnant spirit's soul is inherently unstable, I can guarantee the last step. Although," he paused briefly, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face, "the toll on my body will not be small."

The room fell silent, save for the faint creak of wood as Aurelia shifted uneasily in her seat. She glanced at Kael, remembering the deep wounds hidden on his upper body. Liora, however, remained still, her eyes firmly locked on Kael.

"Regardless, a promise must be upheld." Kael added after a moment, his voice softer now, though no less resolute.

Liora's mind raced. The phrase echoed in her ears, heavy with meaning. A promise. A vow to protect, no matter the cost. She had heard those words before—from Ryker. Her late husband's voice whispered in her memory; "Even if it costs me my life, I will not break my promise to protect this clan."

Her fair hands, gloved in fine leather, tensed against the armrests of her chair. The weight of her own responsibilities crushed against her chest. If Ryker, a rank seven swordmaster, had fallen... what hope does this man have?

From rank one, an aura novice, to rank six, an aura master, aura warriors remained bound by mortal limits. Similarly, a rank one mage, also called a novice magician, all the way to a rank six master, they are still only mortals. But from rank seven onward, the qualitative change in mana manipulation elevated one to the realm of demigods. For such a figure to fall... Liora's doubts were more than justified.

Liora's thoughts drifted to the horn. The artifact itself was locked in the clan's treasury, a treasure hidden beneath layers of enchantments and barriers. In her time as matriarch, Liora had seen the horn used sparingly. 

It amplified healing spells, purified contaminated sources of magic, and even aided in large-scale rituals. But never had it been used in the context Kael was describing, to dismantle divine mana. 

Dragons are creatures that stand in the pinnacle, masters of mana manipulation, they are nothing less than sovereigns. This fact, backed up by Tess, made Kael's plan entirely plausible. The only part she was still unsure of, as was everyone else, was the use of the word 'soul'. 

Everyone present, even Aurelia, a rank two magician, they were all warriors. Yet, none of them understood Kael's mention of the soul.

"Disperse the divine shell of mana..." Tess repeated lost in thought, louder this time, pulling Liora back to the present. The elder tapped her cane against the floor. "And you expect to survive that process? Physical repercussions are one thing, but the spirit is not so easily manifested! The price of failure will not be some mere injuries."

Tess refered to the spirit of an aura warrior, a manifestation of one's will. She naturally assumed that was Kael's intent. 

After all, she had felt the patriarch's aura before, the spirit melded in it was rather volatile. For a warrior to manifest their will, extreme focus and composure was required, it was not a reliable tool in the middle of battle, where any amount of unexpected situations could occur and disrupt one's focus.

Kael's expression remained unchanged, though there was a faint glint of amusement in his eyes. "The soul is far more than you can imagine."

Tess's face stiffened, clearly insulted by the remark. Her prestige was otherworldly, noone would dare to speak so crudely to her.

Thorne scoffed, breaking the momentary silence. "Confident words, but empty ones without proof. Do you even understand the scale of the white devil's power? We fought it before —and we lost everything. The patriarch…" His voice trailed off, a rare moment of raw emotion cracking through his bravado. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. 

"The patriarch gave his life, and we still barely survived. And you expect us to hand over our clan's greatest treasure and believe you'll succeed where he failed?"

Kael turned his gaze to Thorne, his expression unchanging but his tone oppressive. "Either way, the white devil will arrive soon. You have less of a choise than you realise."

His words hung in the air like a thunderclap. Aurelia's breath caught, her grip on Storm's fur as her thoughts still lingered on the vision she had seen earlier. Even Yselda, typically composed, furrowed her brows.

Yselda's position in the clan was rather vague, her origins were only known by a few. Her strength however, allowed her to have a high status even with her mysterious past, covered by her cold demeanor. 

Thorne, however, wasn't impressed. Attempting to hide his anxiety and the traumatizing memories in his head, he barked out a bitter laugh. "Do you expect us to take you at your word? I admit, that pressure was indeed surprising. Yet, how do you plan on activating the artifact without mana?" he exclaimed, letting everyone in the room realise the gap in his plans.

"Enough." Liora's voice cut through Thorne's laughter like a blade. Still unsure of the man's temperament, she wanted to refrain from angering him. "We will go along with your arrangements. If the white devil is coming like you said, reinforcements will not make it in time."

The truth is, she and many others had hoped that the threat was now gone, however after Kael's words it became obvious that the white devil's threat was approaching once more!

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