"I see…" Looking at the ashen-haired boy with some surprise, with Daitei just as ensnared by the moment.
"Winn is it. Pardon me but it's always a bit of a shock to find one of you so eagerly awoken"
"I doubt the rest of you stayed because you were moved by my words. You must have questions. I'm sure of it" Galland's gaze scanned the room as his audience waited with baited breath.
"All right, this may be my favorite group today. Winn was it…You asked what you'd be fighting? That is an excellent question. Daitei!" He called for his companion. And upon his command, Daitei left the room through the same door they entered.
Some time after , he returned. Opening the doors, a series of tiny-rabbit like sprites birthed from the same flames of Daitei's magic as the serpent that once occupied the room waddling out from under him.
The march of orange-red flame sprites continued into the room, each of them carrying in their even smaller hands a book bound in sharp black leather, trying not to stumble into each other as they all followed into the other room.
Each of the cuddly sprites leapt into the arms of each of the Shardbearers, presenting them with their book. The moment they take up the tomes the sprites disappear in a puff of white smoke, leaving behind a sweet scent of cinnamon and burnt pine.
"It took the liberty of preparing some resources to best equip you all. As you've heard, you are not the only group I've seen today nor will you be the last. So if you have any more questions, you can save what remains of your voice and turn to the book in your hands"
Opening to the first page of the tome, they find a signed acknowledgement by Count Arlosse himself. It also where the reader could find the name of the book they were handed.
Bestiary of Nightmares and the Unspoken Things
"If you have anything else you would like to discuss with me personally, you can find it tomorrow."
"What's happening tomorrow?" The group asked.
"Daitei will take you where you'll need to go to begin your journey as Shardbearers"
Before Count Arlosse departed, he expressed that should Winn become a great hero, he should come and find him. He need only look as far North as he can go before meeting with the shores of the Greycastle Steppes.
"That goes for any of you. I know I've asked a lot of you today., but I would be honored to host you all as great heroes in the near future"
"If there aren't any more questions, we'll take our lea..."
"Wait...you said there were other people right....when we eh...walked here, I saw someone, are they okay?"
"Mmm...oh, you mean the girl that you arrived with?"
"Yes, I don't know her, but I was wondering if she was all right?" His expression bore a discrete amount of surprise at the thought of his compassion.
"The young lady you speak of and the numerous other Shardbearers are in good health"
"Oh...cough...could I..."
"If you wish to see any other Shardbearer outside this room, I'm afraid you'll have to wait. We intend to speak with as many of you as we can before the end of the day."
"Cough...cough…"
"And if we happen to work our way to her group, I will inform her of you"
"Don't strain yourself, like what was said before, if you choose to stay and fight, then you should head to the Administrators office tomorrow...they'll inform you on everything that happens next. Were we to stay and do so, we wouldn't have enough time to see to the others"
"What are we supposed to do till then?" He asked blank-faced and fatigued.
"For now, return to the Medical Ward and get some rest, enough for you to return to full strength...any more questions?" Daitei calmed the eager individual with his steady tone.
He was the only one that stood holding his tongue, he wanted to ask more but had to remain calm, or he might end up in the same state he awoke.
Daitei's gaze scanned the other Shardbearers that remained in the room, though they all seemed content and were keeping to themselves.
"If that is all we'll take our leave" Daitei reminded the remaining individuals before excusing himself from the hall.
As the doors shut behind him, the Shardbeareres left for the Medical Ward.
"Winn was it?" Still struggling to make out his full appearance with the dense brush of ashen hair hiding most of his visage, Winn pushed his bangs out of the way to find where the familiar voice came from.
Looking down at him, the fiery-haired girl stood in front of him, still paging through her Bestiary.
"Yes, it's you…"
"Yes, it's me. Though that probably doesn't mean much for the rest of us here. So how about you call me Tessa. I like the sound of it."
"All right, is there something I can help you with, Tessa?" She shut her book and focused on him after hearing his question.
"Hmm, not right now." She paused, waiting as a few other Shardbeareres passed them by.
"But when I do, I'll come find you, Winn" With a gentle puff, she blows the strangling hairs out of his eyes, cursing him to blink. By the time he stopped, she had disappeared. Leaving nothing but her scent and the memory of her nearby.
Like a warm and steady flame, the image of her presence was constant in the back of his head. With a mind that was strong in visualization, Winn had an uncanny ability to recite memories by being associated with multiple senses. With shattered remnants of what he could remember, he wasn't sure how long he had been able to do it, but like remembering how to count with one's fingers, the capacity of recitation remained with him.
And now it plagued him, but what was it that bothered him so much?
'I thought the doctor was striking, but she was…Vi…' Yes, he even in this other world, found himself at the mercy of striking beauty in all its forms. From the bright green eyed girl he saved from the fall the snow-haired and scarred doctor and not the red-head with eyes as gray and a shimmering pool molten steel.
He was largely uncertain about a lot of things, which made it even more apparent that waiting until tomorrow would aid to stay these feelings, he needed to know more, what he understood of this world was precious little and that was never a good thing.
Walking back to the Medical Ward he was in, a consumed look enveloped his face as he wandered over to his bed without paying heed to the nurse that was present.
He sat for quite a while before noticing the glare coming off of the nurse as she was making the beds of the Shardbearers that had already left...her piercing stare was enough to make even him take notice.
Likewise, he propped himself against the bed as he got onto his feet and made his way to her.
The nurse momentarily halted her duties as the young man approached. Once his eyes met her glare, he darted his vision to somewhat alleviate the tension.
He apologized for his rude entrance into the room, and for not thanking her for taking care of him.
His hoarse voice managed to slip out of the bound chords of his throat, though not to the intended volume.
She was a bit startled by what he was trying to say, though by the end of it she was able to understand his intention and nodded pleasantly before carefully ushering him to his bed for him to rest.
As he got onto the bed once more, he stopped himself from lying back and instead motioned to query the nurse.
Intrigued, she asked what might be the problem and waited for him before he explained that he would like to know all he can about this world, pleading with her to tell him all she knows...though reluctant at first, the sight of his eagerness eventually persuaded her.
The two went on and on, with the nurse exchanging more and more details about where they were and what she knew.
Winn paid attention to everything she said, asking as much as he could, before she had to leave to attend to her other duties. Winn then left the Ward after feeling the call of the night breeze through the opened window. Granting the occasional sight of passing shadows belonging to great and grand things that danced among the clouds and the violet night sky.
Following the symbols etched into the doors that he could now make sense of, Winn explored, going from his room, common area, while making a stop at the bathroom and then the veranda jutting out from the floor all the Shardbeareres stayed on.
With a frilly awning that allowed the moonlight to stream through its thin fabric and onto the tiled footpath between the gentle tended-to garden of strange flowers. With onyx and violet petals that shimmered like a starlit night.
But the beauty of the shadowy garden wasn't the only thing on his mind, for Winn couldn't shake the feeling of a set of unshakeable eyes on him.
"Can I help you, whoever you are?" Winn called out, as he sat on the stone benches.
"You're quite the odd one, leaving yourself open like that" The source of the voice appeared behind him, tapping his shoulder before vanishing just as he turned around.
"And yet, those eyes of yours, there's something that dwells in them that I can't seem to ignore" The source of the voice now came from beside him on the bench as a gentle and soft breeze brushed past his cheek.
"I can't say I would know, but if you're saying that you find my eyes attractive, who am I to say otherwise?" Winn tried to pass off his comment as a joke when he felt the breeze end and the sensation of her presence disappeared along with the breeze.
'Was that Tessa?' He wondered, as he touched the fading warmth on his cheek before the flowing breeze stole it away. Snapping him from his delusion, Winn decided to return to the Ward for the night.
The rest of the night would end uneventfully, with the morning following soon after. Winn was relieved to know that the sunrise of this world wouldn't be something beyond what he could manage, preferring the night over daytime, waking late was a trait he carried with him into this new world.
He quickly dressed and finished off the breakfast meal that was brought to the Shardbearerers. A combination of spicy tasting berries with a sweetness that resembled white chocolate in tastes and a bowl of seemingly normal soup. The doctor came in and explained that we would have to finish our bowls before we could be discharged.
"Shardbearer or not, you're all still governed by the natural laws as mortals. That means you need to eat. Our cook worked hard to ensure that your meals were to my exact requirements"
"It isn't that bad…" One the patients blurted out before choking on the heat running down his throat.
"The soup should help with the heat." The white-haired nurse said, after she helped him sit up and take a spoonful of the creamy brew from his bowl. After a few mouthfuls, the heat calmed along with his panic.
"I'm sure you know better than most that you've gone through a lot in a short period of time. If we aren't careful you may be overwhelmed. This meal has been made as potent as possible to nourish and revitalize your bodies. You should feel none the worse for wear by the time you leave my Ward"
Half an hour later, Winn and the rest of the Shardbearers made their way out of the room and joined the increasing mass that was heading downstairs to the Administrative Office - Floor 1. Taking the stairs, they became familiar with the vastness of their current holdings with at some reaching past fifty flights to get there.
Once they had seen the sign mentioned before, they walked past the ivory colored doors, opening on their own as they approached them. They were led into a foyer area hosting a large and welcoming space.
At the center was a hearth bearing a steady vermillion flame that warmed the room. Away from the doors they entered through, were several windows marked with specific signs above them. Each of them lead up to a booth with a masked attendant on standby.
With people having already lined up, he looked around and between the queues to find the one he should follow.
Finding the appearance of the line quite unusual, Winn joined reluctantly from the back, passing a few cold-stares as he stood among the others, ahead of them the sign above the attendant read, Summoned Heroes.
With three other booths beside him offering the same service, the growing group was slowly managed by the skillful attendants at the ready. Each of them started their interaction with a few questions before a plume of smoke would rise above them and the next person stepped up.
One or more Shardbearers in each line would occasionally lash out wishing to see their superior to voice their displeasure at the service they were receiving, even going as far as to try and attack the attendants out of pure rage. From where he stood in line, Winn couldn't see how the altercations would play out, only how they began before the crowd would gather around, and then how it ended, with the dissidents being restrained and assisted at another booth.
Winn did his best to ignore their eyes as he moved along the line and eventually reached the booth.
"Twelve's Blessings be with you, Sir Hero"
"And the Twelve's Blessings to you. We were told to come here by a man named Arlosse. He said we would know where to go after finding his companion"
"You speak of Count Arlosse and Lord Daitei. Yes, Sir Hero. All whoI attend are to be properly prepared before meeting with Lord Daitei. It is our job today to ensure that you have what you need to begin your journey"
"All right"
"If you would, please present me with the palm of your hand…" As Winn showed her his hand, she took out a large book, with a featureless violet cover, she paged through the gray pages, past the various diagrams and figures until she found the one she sought.
"This mark should work. It is a Rank A seal, suitable for assessing the strength of even the most powerful individuals" Placing the mark on the back of his hand. She pulled out a violet edged dagger and drove it into his hand, releasing a billowing black pillar of smoke.
Despite her sudden act, little more than a momentary sting was felt before the smoke ended and the dagger was removed.
"Is it done?"
"Bear with me, Sir Hero" Taking out another page and performing the same ritual, the pillars rose one after the other. Each time it did, a look almost menacing in nature stretched across her face.
Requiring at least six more pages to be used before she Finally got to a seal that worked.
'How could it be that the only seal that worked was an F-Rank? For a Shardbearer no less. Perhaps…you need to possess some degree of strength for anything above F-Rank to measure your power. I don't think he or even Count Arlosse or Lord Daitei realize it but he may very well be the weakest one among the Shardbearers that were summoned.'
"Apologies for all that commotion, it usually doesn't take long to get a reaction" Watching this time as a violet light carved the seal into the back of his hand. The mark resembled a drake.
"Sir Hero, you've been marked. In a moment that seal on your hand should begin to take its final shape."
"Sir Hero, if you can. Please, hold out your hand and call upon the seal's power. You need only say the words, 'Status Open' to do so"
While the mark didn't ache at all, its presence could be felt on his flesh, as he flexed his wrist and fingers hoping to adjust to the unfamiliar sensation that was now bound to him.
"Status Open" At his call, his eyes glazed over with an orange light as an untethered display hovered in front him, floating in place beside the attendant.
It semi-transparent window followed the movement of his eyes, before it he could focus it in place, with its shape and its contents becoming more clear.
Character Status
Level: 1
HP: 1000
MP: 3000
'(i) You may select this icon to see additional information'
'You do not meet the requirements to access additional information'
"Status Magic, a basic tier of magic but one that only functions with affinity for it. The higher your rank, the more information it allows you to glean about the world around you. It's through this magic system, that all Dustborne, Lumen`asage and Shardbearers are able to grow" The attendant explained before she looked over his parameters, in their mutual confusion they both let out…
"Is it supposed to be this empty?"
"Apologies, Sir Hero. The irregularities of your status may simply be a consequence of how unique the Shardbearers are in their nature." She said, hoping to placate and calm him, but her distress had begun to degrade her mask of certainty.
'Hmm?' Catching a whiff of some strange scent that came from the attendant, his gaze focused more intently as he sought its source.
"I take it by your reaction that this isn't normal?"
"Most of what you're capable of will become known to you after your visit. For now, you should have access to the information that you're familiar with. What you see is a compiled and comprehensive view of what you are capable of." Losing more of her composure as she felt the weight his gaze wash over her in waves.
'A visit?' He thought, what appeared to be an off-handed remark actually succeeded much of his most recent knowledge he gained through his request of the individuals that worked tirelessly to care for them after their arrival in this New World.
"Perhaps my affinity with the Status Magic is too low, there's a lot of missing information"
"Worry not, the Realm-Breakers will make sure that any questions you have are answered. Very soon, you will be sent on your way to commune with the Twelve, I pray that they may bless you on your journey." The attendant's will had been reduced to its minima, as she urged for the end of their engagement as soon as possible
'Count Arlosse and Daitei mentioned those very same figures. They were responsible for bringing us here. It seems like staying was the most optimal choice if it means learning more about why we were brought here. But what of the Twelve she keeps mentioning? I noticed that it was a common exchange during conversation between the nurses and the attendants, perhaps it's their equivalent of "god be with ye" or maybe something else entirely' Winn's thoughts consumed any and all details he could, he felt that this was the most necessary action considering his current situation, he couldn't afford to remain ignorant.
"Will the Realm-Breakers and the Twelve meet with us here?"
"You will find both at the Astral Keystone, the Divine Ministry that houses the Valistheean Divine Tower" The attendant handed over a worn and bruised map before asking that I step aside to assist the group of Shardbearers.
"Once you have been assisted, please follow our guards to the caravan. They will be transporting you to your next destination" Another pair of attendants stood between the lines, working to direct and guide anyone that may have query or have concluded their work at the booths to their next destination.
Thanking both attendants for their assistance did not lessen their agitation from the weight of his gaze. For before them, the Shardbearers were things more akin to monsters than people, and looking into the eyes of Winn, reaffirmed the primal fear that reminded them that they were not normal.
"Wh–" Before he could ask anymore questions, the others in the line pushed him out of the way.
'What kind of symbol is this...' Winn found the nature of the mark he received to occupy his mind, choosing to simply move on than to struggle through the crowd to reach the attendants. Mindlessly exploring his Status Magic caused him to stumble into the very same group that had been watching since he got in line with the rest of the Shardbearers.
But before he could apologize, someone else walked into the group, knocking Winn out of the way. While the group surrounding him would have recused the figure, their sudden assault on Winn had them back off, choosing to watch instead as they grabbed and pinned him against the wall.
"Don't struggle, just relax, at least until they leave" His gaze flickered to the side, looking past the figure's hood, he could spy as the group of individuals chose to leave, with an air of frustration about them.
The grizzled group seemed to be staring at him as his eyes met there's, shocked at the loss of their chance, they merely scoffed at him before walking away from the line. It was then that Winn had noticed, for they were part of the group that left earlier, choosing to walk away from the duty of Shardbearer, but why they were here still remained lost to him.
"You stick out like a sore thumb, try looking less clueless next time or you'll be counting your teeth in the back of an alley" The figure removed their hood but even before that, her scent struck him just as suddenly.
Tessateased him that there won't always be people to look out for him.
"You think they were here to attack me? Then I am glad to have you around"
"I know most of them would. We're in a strange land with no memories of where we came from and all of a sudden we are told that we have the right to power and money we've done nothing to earn so far, that's the kind of thing to bring out the worst in people"
"Of course I will, you've piqued my interest. Now stay close, once they're done with me we can leave"
"We?"
"Well yes, we need each other. I want to know more about and you need someone to look out for you"