Starlit Oath

Marcus was filled with thoughts as he left the Starlit Sanctum. 

Did Sylra really realize he wasn't Marcus Reed? Or was it just a test, as she previously stated?

The path from the Starlit Sanctum to the Council of Gatekeepers was conveniently close by. Marcus Reed moved through the city's elevated walkways, his boots ringing against the translucent stone. The air shimmered with faint energy, and starlight was woven into the atmosphere itself.

A shattered tower could be seen in the distance. Its beauty has been obscured by darkness. Marcus remained motionless, his gaze fixed forward. Lirien approached Marcus and stared in the same direction he did.

"That happened during a void-tremor many years ago," she said, her hands trembling.

"What happened?" 

Lirien's hands couldn't stop trembling, so she closed her eyes and took a single breath.

"This occurred in the fourth cycle. Aetherion led a peaceful lifestyle. There were no Voidspawns. However, everything came to an end when one of the Gatekeepers was killed. He was said to have been killed while investigating a series of realm-bleeds at the Ninth Gate, which revealed void-energy traces leading to a tenth gate…"

"After the gatekeeper was killed, the rise of the Voidspawns spread throughout Aetherion. My parents, along with several other gatekeepers, were killed. That tower was our last chance, but it was destroyed by Voidspawns and Star-Eaters."

Lirien spoke, her hand trembling, her silver cloak soaked in crimson ichor flapping like a shattered flag on a forgotten battlefield, and her silvery hair swaying. Marcus felt sympathy for Lirien after seeing her expression.

Her green eyes glowed as she unsheathed her sword, which was drenched in the void-spawn's greasy blood, and pointed it at the sun.

"That is why I decided to join the Gatekeepers. I want all of this to end."

"I am sorry about your loss."

"That's fine. Gatekeepers mourn the deceased for a brief moment before moving on."

After sheathing her sword, they both approached a statue. A crystal statue of a man holding a sheathed sword. The sun's rays struck the crystal statue, casting a massive shadow across the elevated walkway.

Marcus Reed's heartbeat quickened. He recognized who it was. It was himself. The statue's description was consistent throughout.

"This is the statue of the deceased gatekeeper. It was constructed by the Council of Gatewards."

The tower stood behind the statue, its height piercing through the sky, emitting a bluish and violet aura. Ten hanging towers appeared in the sky, humanoid beings with prismatic wings displaying their beauty above.

Marcus Reed impressed, his excitement evident on his face.

"Those ten towers represent the Nine Gates' library; however, not all the hanging towers are libraries."

Lirien explained while standing in front of the tower. Marcus took a step forward, feeling his body weight. They were quickly propelled upwards, much like an escalator. He looked down, seeing himself ascending, the clouds becoming visible, and the hanging towers displaying their beauty.

As they moved upward, the light in front of him became brighter, blinding his eyes. 

He slowly opened his eyes and saw himself on the last floor of the tower. The crystal floor pulsed with violet and blue colors whenever someone moved. 

As he stepped out of what appeared to be an elevator, his rune burned and a memory flashed before him.

"The Council hides the Truth."

The memory faded, bringing him back into reality.

"What was that?"

"What did that phrase mean?"

His boots reverberated on the alabaster floor, and the fractal light of the sanctum cast strange shadows.

Lirien's voice was low and urgent as she declared, "This is the Council of Gatekeepers headquarters. Every gatekeeper takes an oath that binds their souls to the High Gods and the Nine Gates."

He froze. "An oath?"

"What happens if someone does not take the oath?" Marcus gambled in order to put her to the test. With his fingers brushing against the journal in his robe, he was ready to flee if she became hostile.

Lirien came to a halt, not turning away from Marcus.

Lirien's expression hardened as her braid glistened in the starlight. "Marcus, you're a gatekeeper. "The Council has zero tolerance for deserters." Her tone became gentle, almost pleading. "You've seen the hunger of the void. The tremors worsen with each passing day." Her hand twitched with tension.

Marcus masked his relief with a silent exhalation.

"Let's do it," he said.

Lirien nodded and directed him to the inner room. There were several gatekeepers with runes visible on their weapons or bodies. As they approached, two robed guards with spears blocked the entrance.

"Who are you?" he inquired, his expression stern.

"He's come to take an oath." Lirien responded, showing Marcus' rune to the guards.

Although Marcus couldn't understand why Lirien needed to show his rune, they cleared their path and opened the door.

When entering, the floor highlighted the buildings below, making them visible. A shimmering crystal chandelier hung above, illuminating with blue and violet lights. Above them hung five crystal chairs. Each chair represents its respective power.

"Proceed."

Marcus quivered in his boots as a voice echoed. Marcus took a step forward, and Lirien stood aside. The distance between him and the crystal chairs grew shorter. Three statues were positioned behind the crystal chairs. One made of crystal that reflects a feminine side. The other was made of shimmering threads that pulsate like constellations, while the last is made of jagged stones.

"State your name," the voice repeated, coldly.

"Marcus Reed."

The room became silent for a minute. Marcus, who didn't understand what was going on, took a step backward. The voice behind the chair, along with the four, revealed themselves, their faces broad.

The chair in the center symbolized the supreme leader, whose hair was brown and dark.

Marcus's rune was burned, and the air within the Crystal Spire became thicker—a warning, a call. The Spire's pillars hummed, and their runes pulsed like the universe's heartbeat; the beauty felt like a cage.

Suddenly, a round alter appeared from beneath, surrounded by runes.

"Marcus Reed, you say?" The man continued, his voice cold. "Put your hand on the alter." This is to determine whether you will be bound or broken by the High Gods."

"High Gods?" Marcus reflected on himself as he approached the alter, his heart pounding and his hand hovering over the crystal.

He placed his hand on the altar, glowing blue and violet. A supernova ripped through him, scorching his nerves. His eyes became whitish, and he found himself in a white, starry, and jagged realm surrounded by three figures. The figures resembled the statues found in the Spire.

Just as his hand was about to reach the figure, darkness swallowed it up, as did his cloak. The realm, which had been white, was gradually becoming black. A figure appeared in proximity, laughing loudly. His rune began to darken.

In the Spire, the crystal beneath him darkened, gradually filling the room and darkening the alter. Gatekeepers backed away in fear. Before the council could react, the darkness beneath Marcus' feet receded, sweat appeared on his face, and his hand trembled.

Back in the realm, Marcus focused on his rune, which glowed brightly and overshadowed the darkness. The three figures, who had been darkened by the darkness, appeared, pouring their power into Marcus' rune and overpowering the darkness. His hand moved, pointing toward the crystal figure.

The figure in front of him spoke with thunderous voices.

The Ninegates is where you stand, stranger. Close the realms. Watch over the gates.

Marcus opened his eyes and saw the alter bathed in starry light.

"It appears you've made it through," the man said coldly. "You may now leave."

Marcus moved backwards as he noticed their chairs rising. Lirien's hands held him steady, causing bruises, and her gaze was too intense on his face. "You pulled through. Which High God were you bound to?"

With Marcus departing with Lirien, the council's supreme leader tapped his chair three times, his knuckles cracking. His shadow eyes radiated a violet glow without saying anything.