Chapter Seven: Sean… Lord of the Unknown (Part Two)
With the first threads of dawn, the gates of the Governor's Palace slowly opened.
Behind them rose a towering structure, its black domes threaded with silver ornamentation, its dark stone walls preserving the solemn authority of the place.
Guards stood in perfect lines on both sides of the entrance. Their armor gleamed beneath the morning sun, and their eyes were cold—holding nothing but discipline.
Sean was led inside with slow steps.
His head was lowered, and his hands were clasped together in front of him as they had been for most of his life.
Just a subordinate.
Just a shadow.
At last, he entered the Hall of Judgment.
It was vast. The ceiling rose high above, from which hung long golden chains carrying energy crystals that cast a heavy aura throughout the chamber.
On the throne at the front sat the ruler of the city…
Peter.
A middle-aged man with a thick mustache and sharp eyes that hinted at long experience dealing with power. A luxurious black robe rested over his shoulders, woven with threads of red ruby that looked like living veins of authority.
Peter gave a faint smile as he looked at Sean and said with a tone that carried more amusement than welcome:
"Seems the fortune of our little city has finally smiled upon us… we have another Path Master."
Inside the spirit stone, John stood silently, watching the scene unfold.
He spoke to himself.
"Indeed… Path Masters are extremely rare. For one to emerge from someone with no known lineage… that almost never happens."
His thoughts paused for a moment before continuing with analytical calm.
"Unless… he's a bastard child. Perhaps his mother spent a night with a Path Master."
"That would explain it."
Peter raised a finger and gestured deeper into the palace.
"Come. Let us see which Path fate has chosen for you."
They led Sean into another chamber.
In the center of the room stood a massive stone mounted upon a carved pedestal.
Its surface was smooth, gray like ancient dust, yet it pulsed with faint energy—like the slow heartbeat of something asleep.
Peter stood beside it with his hands behind his back and said in a formal tone devoid of emotion:
"Place your hand on the stone… and let your soul speak."
Sean hesitated for a moment.
Then he slowly lifted his hand and placed it upon the surface of the stone.
At first…
nothing happened.
Then suddenly—
The stone ignited with a deep gray light.
It wasn't pure like silver, nor sharp like darkness.
It was neutral.
Cold.
Like the color of a world that belonged to nothing.
Peter's face froze.
His brows slowly tightened.
"What…?!"
He stepped closer, his eyes shining with an unwelcome surprise.
Then he spoke slowly, as if unwilling to believe what he was seeing.
"Out of all the Paths…"
"You obtained… the worst one."
He lifted his gaze toward Sean and said coldly:
"The Path of the Unknown."
Silence filled the room.
Sean did not understand.
But John…
understood perfectly.
John gathered his spirit tightly as he observed.
"A Path without value… no attack, no defense, no healing, no support—not even enhancement."
"Just a meaningless spiritual domain."
"This is the cruelest mockery fate could give a man."
Peter exhaled slowly, then snorted in disdain.
"I thought you might be useful."
"I thought we could invest in you…"
"But it seems you're worthless."
He turned to the guards and said without interest:
"Take him to the auxiliary wing. He will be treated as an official student… but without privileges."
"And if it weren't for the laws… and if it weren't for the Information Path Master who monitors anyone who betrays the reception oath…"
"I would have thrown you back into the streets."
"I do not waste resources on something with no value."
Then he waved his hand dismissively.
"Leave."
Sean lowered his head even further.
He did not try to defend himself.
Because he had nothing with which to defend himself.
As he walked away, John watched silently.
"This is the nature of Path Masters…"
"If your Path were powerful, they would lay carpets beneath your feet and show you respect."
"But once they discover you are worthless…"
"They crush you without hesitation."
"This is the world."
He paused briefly.
"But perhaps this saved you, Sean."
"Kai did not kill you because he believed you had no value."
"Perhaps fate did not grant you salvation…"
"Perhaps it merely granted you a cruel joke that prolonged your suffering."
Yet something else caught John's attention.
"The oath… and the Information Path Master."
"Strict surveillance against betrayal."
"That's interesting…"
"And perhaps more dangerous than it seems."
Sean was finally taken to his room.
It was small.
A simple bed.
Cold empty walls.
He sat down slowly.
He didn't move.
He didn't cry.
He didn't even think.
He stared into the empty air, his soul devoid of any sound.
For the first time since John began witnessing his life…
He felt nothing from Sean.
No pain.
No fear.
No hatred.
Only emptiness.
A dark unease passed through John's heart.
"This… is dangerous."
He whispered to himself:
"One of the most dangerous flaws of Spirit Stones…"
"is that they can manipulate the psyche of those who use them."
"Many Path Masters have lost their sanity… because of an inheritance they could not endure."