Chapter 43 – Truth Beyond the Veil
With Gildcrest temporarily secure, Jean wasted no time.
Silvia stayed behind to lead the city's reconstruction and defense, while Jean, Whitney, and Cassien made for the neutral territory of Sanctum Arkenne, the central seat of the Argon Sovereignty—the sacred city where all gods were worshipped, and where politics dared not tread.
The journey through the Mistlands was silent. Even the wind felt heavy.
"Why now?" Cassien asked one night as they camped beneath silver-leafed trees. "Why speak to the Sovereignty?"
Jean fed the fire. "Because the gods sent us to kill Antares. But none of them told us how."
Whitney's tail twitched. "Or why it must be us alone."
They arrived at Sanctum Arkenne on the seventh dawn.
Its marble spires rose like spears of light, piercing low-hanging clouds. Golden bells chimed across the terraces, and pilgrims filled the streets, bowing before idols and shrines of every divine aspect. But Jean was not here to pray.
They were led deep into the Chamber of Echoes, a vault-like cathedral where only emissaries were allowed audience with the Divine Choir—an assembly of the highest clerics and prophets.
A serene, robed woman greeted Jean.
"I am High Oracle Ysmena," she said, her eyes white with divine sight. "Child of Celeste. Emissary of Light. Speak your burden."
Jean stepped forward, her voice unwavering. "The dragons rise. The Iron Empire moves. The gods gave us power, but no answers. Why?"
Ysmena's serene smile faded. "Because some truths are too heavy for mortals."
"Try me," Jean said.
The chamber fell into shadow.
Then, a dozen voices spoke as one—the Divine Choir, possessed by godly essence. "The dragons were never meant to be slain."
Jean flinched. "What?"
"They are the world's wardens," the Choir intoned. "They rose when man forgot balance. The gods gave you emissaries not to destroy, but to delay. Antares is not your enemy. He is your judgment."
The truth struck like a blade.
"They used us," Whitney growled.
Jean's hands trembled. "Then why give us power at all?"
"To test whether you would rise for power… or for the world."
The light returned. The voices faded.
Ysmena looked sorrowful. "What you do now, Jean Luther, is no longer divine will. The gods are silent. The path you walk belongs to you alone."
Jean turned away, fire burning behind her eyes.
"Then I'll carve that path myself."
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