As Lucian walked through the bright city, the amount of people actively walking around or coaches slowly diminished the closer he got to the dock. This must be why Ozzus told me to return before nightfall. It doesn't seem dangerous though, and It's hard to picture there to be any crime.
About a mile away from the docks, no people could be seen walking around. A coach or two would occasionally pass by to pick up any late-night workers or sailors at the docks but that was it. They must only be busy there because its closer to the center of the city. This part of the noble street is a bit odd though, I believe it's a branch of some sorts. Could the nobles be trying to take control of the docks too?
As Lucian was Immersed In his thoughts, a strange mist poured out from an alleyway and in almost an instant, enveloped the entire street, dulling the world. Then a whisper brushed his mind, then another, then dozens.
Lucian froze. His breath hitched as the voices pressed inward, overlapping, clawing for space inside his mind.
"Ngh...What..the h-hell?"
Lucian snapped his hand to his temple and an invasive pain detonated behind his eyes. It felt as though someTHING was trying to eat his conscience.
"Get out of my head!!!"
He staggered, vision blurred as if a misty hand was covering his eyes. The voices weren't words anymore. Just pure agonizing noise.
Lucian dropped to the ground; his fingers were practically digging into his skull as if he could somehow tear out this horrid. He couldn't get himself to even scream for help as his breathing had turned into ragged gasps while the world tilted. His thoughts scattered, and then. Silence.
The mist dissipated as a figure stood a short distance away, with long hair, swaying faintly.
Lucian tried to gather his mind and focus on the figure, but the darkness took him first.
***
Lucian Jolted upwards with a sharp inhale. The room he was in was the same one he had woke up in the other day. The morning light spilled through the window. It was unsettling, one moment he's practically suffocating in his mind then he wakes up on the peaceful Senkrad piercer.
Laying back down, Lucian stared at the ceiling for a while. What the fuck was that? never in my life have I ever experienced something like that. wait, how would I know?
As Lucian sat back up, he noticed that neither Ozzus nor Priscilla were in the room.
Once Lucian was dressed in his formal attire that he obtained from yesterday's shopping, he headed out of the cabin. On the dock, he found Ozzus on the deck lifting a barrel.
"You're awake", Ozzus said without looking at him. "Second time you've avoided your own demise"
Could it have been him that saved me? He does match what I was able to make out before I blacked out. Lucian pondered for a second the asked finally, "Was it you that saved me?
"No, I only happened upon you when you were passed out and propped up against the wall of a building. It was getting late and I thought you might be in trouble, so I came looking for you. It appeared that someone saved you, unfortunately, I wasn't able to see who it was."
"Do you know what happened to me at least?", asked Lucian while picking up a barrel.
"When I found you, your eyes were red and you were shivering nonstop. It wasn't cold that night meaning you were experiencing the aftereffects of a low-ranking spirit attempting to invade and take control of your mind. Your savior must have drove it away.
"I don't see how someone could drive away something that doesn't have a physical body."
"You can easily counteract them by wearing a piece of jewelry containing blessed salt.", stated Ozzus as he held up his left hand to reveal a silver ring on his index finger. The ring contained a beautiful and almost transparent gold crystal.
"May I ask where you get them?", He could have taken me to get one in one of the three shopping districts.
"In order to get blessed salt, you have to be a follower of a church, but I have an extra. I'll grab it for you once were finished with these barrels."
After completing the barrel task, Ozzus retrieved a ring from his bedroom and handed it to Lucian. The ring had a couple ancient looking symbols on it like the books he had read in the library.
"By the way, if I was attacked by a low-ranking spirit, then how powerful are the high-ranking ones?", It's scary to even think about what they could be capable of.
"Mid ranking corrupted spirits have the capabilities to permanently infect one's mind and on occasion, physically harm a person, while high ranking corrupted spirits can manifest its own incarnation and harm someone mentally, and physically whenever it wants."
"I see, do you per chance know what time it is? I believe I need to get going to the library."
"It's 7:30 AM. This is because of your attempt to schedule a meeting with the head of the Crowe family, yes?"
"Correct, wish me luck that all goes well.", exclaimed Lucian as he walked past Ozzus.
"Sure thing."
***
Entering the library, Lucian was greeted again by the ever so bright Aurora, "Good morning and welcome back sir."
"Good morning miss Rosequartz, I appreciate the welcome."
"It's my pleasure."
"Oh, do you per chance have any books on people with strange abilities?" I need to do some research into Ethereals but I can't say Ethereals because of this damn oath!
"Yes, I think they are in the religion section."
After retrieving a small book, Lucian sat down at the same table to begin his research.
"Throughout history humans have used their superior intellect to rise above the world and create their own, with new innovations sprouting all the time. But during the red void age, people with unknown abilities started appearing. Their powers ranged from preforming healing miracles to mind reading, to being nye invincible. They had other abilities, but they were only known to the ones containing them. while some say this was a blessing from the gods, others think it may be the beginning of the end. As time passed these individuals started appearing less and less until none could be found. They are still thought to be out there, containing the secrets of the world."
Interesting, so Ethereal aren't publicly known and society seems to be split on whether they are good or bad. It'd be neat if I had these powers although it looks like it may be a hereditary, seeing that Ozzus and Priscilla, both have them.
Before Lucian could stand up, a soft yet firm voice spoke, "Excuse me, but could you be Lucian Crowe?"
Lucian turned around and looked up slightly and saw that the person standing behind him was a woman wearing a formal black dress and black leather gloves. Her dark brown hair was tied up in a bun with a silver pin through the side.
"That is correct. May I ask who you are?"
"I am Lady Sylvia Crowe, the head of the Crowe family. I believe you wished to speak with me."