Marcellus sighed as he glanced through the documents, his mind awash with a mix of awe and overwhelm
Very detailed… As expected of the Stormseekers' internal documents… As expected of a Church with six thousand years of history or even more…
The weight of history, the complexity of the lore, and the depth of knowledge contained within these pages were staggering.
Marcellus's sigh echoed through the silent chamber, the sound punctuated by the rustle of parchment as he turned the pages of the ancient scrolls. His mind, a tempestuous sea, churned with a mix of awe and overwhelm. The sheer volume of information was staggering.
Each scroll unfolded a new layer of history, intricate and complex like the delicate veins of a leaf.
From the various Aspirant pathways, each with its unique abilities and dangers, to the shrouded history of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Marcellus felt himself swept away by a tidal wave of knowledge.
The documents not only introduced the various secret organizations but also listed down many of the Sequence pathways in meticulous detail.
It was a comprehensive compilation, yet Marcellus noticed that some portions were deliberately left incomplete.
Some entries only mentioned the potion name of the corresponding Sequence, while others merely described the Aspirant abilities. Certain Sequences were completely missing, the spaces for them left hauntingly blank.
Holding back his excitement, Marcellus traced the Sequence pathway that led from Hollowed. He rifled through the pages, his fingers brushing against the ancient parchment, until he found a familiar term.
His expression, alighted with delight, quickly froze as he realized the corresponding potion name stopped at Sequence 8 — there was no mention of Sequence 7!
Although Aulus already told me I am still somewhat doubtful of the old man.
Despite this gap, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
He had learned Sequence 8 name of the Hollowed Pathway, and even though he did not know the formula, this was indeed a start. Thankfully, the abilities of the two following Sequences are present… he thought, silently exhaling as he calmed his mind and read the descriptions seriously.
"Sequence 9: Hollowed. The corresponding Aspirant gains enhanced senses, spiritual perception, creates strong barriers, enables passage through spiritual walls, and increases dexterity."
"Sequence 8: Revenant. The corresponding Aspirant is good at hiding day or night, very crafty with rituals or ritualistic magic, and summoning."
Marcellus's face lit up as he read through the information on the Hollowed Pathway. He had finally found the answer he had been searching for!
The descriptions of the abilities matched his expectations and Aulus'd description perfectly, and the advancement to Sequence 8, Revenant, resonated with his interest in rituals due to Aulus's Advice.
He scanned the corresponding case studies, but despite reading them repeatedly, he couldn't find a reasonable explanation.
His gaze lowered, and the description of Sequence 7 caught his eye.
"Potion name unknown. The corresponding Aspirant excels in darkness/shadow spells and rituals, and can manipulate actions and either summon or turn people into ghouls."
That's more like it! This is what an advancement of a Hollowed should sound like!
But as he continued reading, a sense of unease settled over him. The information for Sequence 7 was incomplete.
The potion name was missing, and the details were vague. While the mention of "darkness/shadow spells and rituals" and manipulating people was intriguing, the ability to "summon or turn people into ghouls" sent a shiver down his spine.
This was not what he had expected. He had imagined a more refined, spiritual evolution, not the macabre powers described in the text.
The description of Sequence 7 painted a picture of a creature of darkness, far removed from the noble aspirations he held for himself.
It almost makes it look like a demon.
Marcellus frowned, his mind racing.
Why was information about Sequence 7 so limited?
Was there something sinister at play?
Was this a deliberate attempt to keep Hollowed Aspirants in the dark?
He knew he needed more answers. He had to understand the true nature of the Hollowed Pathway and the potential dangers it posed. He couldn't blindly advance without knowing the full consequences.
Marcellus heaved a sigh of relief. After studying the case studies of Sequence 7, he turned his attention to the overall description of the pathway.
"This Sequence pathway traces its origins to the Camarilla sect during the reign of Solomon in the Dawn Empire. Despite the tumultuous conflicts of the Second Epoch, the sect endured, never fully vanquished. Echoes of its name resurfaced sporadically throughout the annals of the fourth Epoch, shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Some whispers and speculations suggest a clandestine connection between the Camarilla sect and the ancient, secretive organization known as The Hand.
The Hand, steeped in legend and cloaked in the shadows of history, was rumoured to wield influence that stretched far beyond the confines of the known world and plane, manipulating events and shaping the course of empires.
The Camarilla sect, with its inscrutable practices and bloody rituals, was said to delve into the forbidden arts of soul manipulation. They were mostly early vampires, guardians of secrets so profound and ancient that their true nature was lost to the sands of time. Their rituals, often shrouded in secrecy and whispered about in hushed tones, were believed to harness energies from the antediluvians.
Throughout the epochs, the sect's legacy permeated the fabric of societies, leaving an indelible mark on humans. It was said that Camarilla's teachings contributed significantly to the development of various kingdoms after the cataclysm, imbuing them with a depth of knowledge and power that resonated with the echoes of the ancient world.
This connection to The Hand, however, remained a subject of intense debate and speculation among the Inquisition and historians. Some theorized that The Hand, through the Camarilla sect, sought to influence the course of Human development, steering it towards their inscrutable goals. Others believed that the Camarilla, while influenced by The Hand, operated with a degree of autonomy, pursuing their objectives..."
As Marcellus pondered over these revelations, he realized the gravity of what lay before him.
The documents in his hands were not mere historical records; they were a window into a world of Aspirants, secret societies, and hidden truths that had shaped the world of Aspirants for millennia.
Camarilla? Upon seeing this name, Marcellus's eyes constricted. He had seen this name before, but where? It slowly dawned on him that it must have been in the Fontenot diary.
The logical chain seemed flawless, yet in the domain of mysticism, pre-destiny often manifested things and involved new problems.
Phew… After repeatedly reading the information, he finally suppressed his ideas and read the other records.
He first found the Sailor Sequence and discovered that it indeed belonged to the Lord of Storms.
"Sequence 9: Sailor enhances supernatural strength, balance, Flow technique proficiency, and provides Phantom Scales for defence. They possess aquatic abilities, underwater agility, and night vision, and can maintain submersion for extended periods. Not only is it naturally the strongest, but it also maintains a profound balance, making it an ideal foundation for those embarking on the path of the Aspirants."
"Sequence 8: Spell blade. The corresponding Beyonder can release several strikes that exceed ordinary thresholds when enraged. Their strength and speed are greatly enhanced… Facing them is like facing a storm… they can usually fight with hands and sword at the same time."
"Sequence 7: Dread Pirate. [Windstorm Priest.] Aspirants at this stage are known as Dread Pirates, and they possess remarkable navigational skills. They are well-versed in astronomy, and geography, and have an innate understanding of natural phenomena such as magnetic fields, ocean currents, wind direction, and clouds.
With a Dread Pirate on board, a ship is never lost at sea. Their keen sense of distance allows them to judge distances accurately, which can be useful in various situations, such as targeting enemies even with closed eyes.
At sea, they become even more attuned to the ocean's embrace, allowing them to move freely underwater for extended periods without tiring.
They also gain the ability to manipulate water to a limited extent, with some spells being a result of their inherent capabilities and others bestowed by the Lord of Storms.
Common water-related abilities include suffocating individuals by covering their faces with a water film, using aqueous light for cleaning, and even manipulating viscosity for water surfing or sailing faster."
Priest Corwin, a Dread Pirate, is very powerful… Marcellus mused, deep in thought.
Impressed, he flipped back a few pages and found the advancement of Apprentice. The description was identical to what Old Man Aulus had said.