Marcellus absorbed Aulus's words akin to a child hearing ghost stories, a mix of fear and fascination swirling within him. "What should I do?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Aulus considered for a moment. "For now, keep it safe but do not delve too deeply into its secrets. We need to understand more about its nature and origins. There might be texts or other sources that can shed light on it. I will see what I can find in my collection. As you no longer have the book ignore it hopefully the connection between you and the diary will wear thin"
Marcellus nodded, his determination solidifying within him. The diary, shrouded in enigma, required careful handling.
As they discussed the intricacies of connections in the mystical realm, Marcellus was suddenly reminded of the peculiar mark on the back of his left palm – a detail he had not yet shared with Aulus.
With a sense of urgency brought on by their conversation, he extended his left hand towards the old man, revealing the mysterious mark for his examination.
Marcellus extended his left hand towards Aulus, revealing the mark that had appeared on the back of his palm. The mark seemed to pulse faintly under the dim light of the room. It was enigmatic and slightly ominous, a physical manifestation of the mysteries Marcellus found himself entangled in.
Aulus leaned closer as he listened to Marcellus' explanation, his eyes narrowing as he examined the mark with a keen intensity that spoke of his deep understanding of mystical symbols. The old man's fingers, weathered with age and wisdom, hovered just above the mark as if feeling the energy emanating from it without making physical contact.
"This is no ordinary mark," Aulus murmured, his voice laced with a mixture of concern and intrigue.
Marcellus watched Aulus's reaction, a mix of apprehension and curiosity building within him. "What does it mean, Aulus? Why do I have this mark, and what connection does it have with the diary and everything else that's happening? Do you recognize it?"
Aulus, after a moment of intense scrutiny of the mark, suddenly reeled back, his expression shifting to one of alarm.
He stretched his hands outwards as if to physically distance himself from the revelation. "Stop, stop! Don't tell me any more, don't show me anymore," he exclaimed, a note of panic lacing his voice.
"This is your problem, Blackeye. Don't infect me with whatever this is. Don't make me an accomplice to your potential demise."
He laughed, a hollow, uneasy sound, then sighed deeply. "Ah, what am I saying? You can't just ignore this problem. It's going to resurface and bring you misfortune."
Aulus looked at Marcellus with a grave expression. "Did you tell Corwin about this? This is serious, boy. You've been marked."
Marcellus could sense the genuine concern in Aulus's voice. The old man, who had always been a pillar of wisdom and guidance, now seemed genuinely afraid, underscoring the severity of the situation. Marcellus realized he was in uncharted territory, dealing with something that could have unforeseen and dangerous consequences.
"No, I haven't told Corwin yet," Marcellus admitted, his voice low. "I wasn't sure how to explain it, or even if I should."
Aulus nodded gravely. "You need to tell him, Marcellus. He must be made aware of this. The Church might have resources or knowledge that can help. And... be cautious. Whoever, or whatever, is behind this mark and the diary might not take kindly to interference."
Marcellus felt the weight of Aulus's words. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but now more than ever, he understood the need to seek help and guidance.
Aulus, his demeanour shifting from caution to a more instructive tone, leaned closer. "Marcellus, I refrained from mentioning this earlier, but in the world of Aspirants, there's an old saying: 'By their fruits, you shall know them.' It's a principle that holds, especially when dealing with the unknown without using special means like divination, prophecy or other Mystical means."
He paused, ensuring Marcellus was absorbing every word. "For instance, if you find it suddenly raining around you, it could be an influence from the Sailor pathway, or perhaps the Mystic seeker pathway. These pathways often have dominion over natural elements or certain types of phenomena."
Aulus's weary eyes, reflecting years of accumulated knowledge, held a glint of wisdom as he continued. "In essence, it is possible to determine from which pathway an artifact or a particular power emanates, based on the abilities it exhibits. This knowledge can be crucial, as it allows you to counteract or at least understand the source of what you're dealing with."
He paused, weighing his words carefully. "I suspect it might be related to the Sleeper pathway, considering its ability to conceal your memories. However, this is just a thought, because while the Sleeper pathway can obscure memories, it typically does not control actions directly."
Marcellus listened intently, processing Aulus's insights. The notion that the diary might be linked to the Sleeper pathway was a significant revelation, yet Aulus's caveat about the control of actions added a layer of complexity to the mystery. It suggested that the diary's influence might stem from a confluence of different forces or pathways, making it a particularly unique and enigmatic artefact.
Marcellus, eager to find a solution, quickly interjected, "Can't we use divination? Or other mystical means to understand more?"
Aulus replied with a touch of realism in his tone, "Of course, divination is a possibility. However, do you possess the means to perform it effectively? I am a Forgemaster, and while I can communicate with spirits, it's not the same as divination. You, being a Hollowed, lack inherent divination abilities."
Marcellus, slightly defiant, started, "Edwin has been teaching me—"
Aulus cut him off with a knowing smirk. "Your expert is that scammer Edwin, is it? Boy, you might be more gullible than Finn. Edwin is a Jinx. While he might be able to sense things like premonitions, he cannot divine things as accurately as a Seer. Jinxes, though they possess the qualification to learn divination, are not inherently skilled in it. It's similar to your situation; as a Hollowed, you have the qualification to learn ritual knowledge and ritualistic magic, but you can't compare that to a Mystic Seeker whose potion directly grants them such knowledge and means. It's like comparing apples to oranges."
Marcellus felt a mix of frustration and enlightenment. Aulus's words painted a clear picture of the limitations and capabilities within their world of Aspirants. Understanding the nuances of different pathways and their inherent abilities was crucial in navigating the complexities of their mystical society.
Marcellus realized that while he might be able to learn and mimic certain skills, there were innate abilities unique to each pathway that he could not replicate as a Hollowed.
Marcellus's frustration was palpable. He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture of exasperation. "That means Edwin has been having me learn this skill, a skill I can't even properly use," he muttered, feeling a mix of annoyance and disillusionment.
Aulus observed Marcellus with a look of empathy. "It's not entirely useless, blackeye. Even if you can't use divination to its fullest extent like a Seer, the training might still sharpen your intuition and enhance your perception in other ways. In the world of Beyonders, every bit of knowledge, every skill, can have its moment of importance."
As Marcellus lingered at the doorway, ready to step out into the night, he paused and turned back to Aulus, seeking one final clarification. "So, I shouldn't use or try to learn divination?" he asked, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
Aulus, looking up from his cluttered desk, met Marcellus's gaze with a firm resolve. "No," he replied decisively. "Instead, focus on honing and using your current abilities to the fullest. Your sequence as a Hollowed offers its unique strengths and advantages. Master those first."
Marcellus nodded, absorbing Aulus's advice. There was wisdom in mastering what was already within his grasp before reaching for skills that lay beyond his natural affinity.
"Thank you, Aulus," Marcellus said, a sense of clarity settling over him. He stepped out into the cool air, feeling more focused on his path
Marcellus, stepping out into the cool night, found himself deep in reflection. "Yeah, that's right. Without Edwin's training, I wouldn't have noticed the coincidences," he mused to himself. There was truth in what Aulus had said – every skill learned had its place, even if it wasn't immediately apparent.
He pondered over Edwin's intentions. Edwin, unaware of Marcellus being a Hollowed, might indeed be grooming him for a pathway that he was more familiar with – the Jinx pathway. Marcellus recalled Edwin's suggestion to choose a Jinx if he ever got another chance at selecting a pathway. "It seems he is trying to groom me to follow the Jinx pathway, where he can be a sort of mentor," Marcellus thought aloud, a hint of realization in his voice.
The notion that Edwin had his play in mind was not surprising. Edwin's actions suggested he was positioning himself as a guide or mentor for Marcellus, steering him towards a path he was more comfortable with.
Marcellus couldn't help but smile wryly. "Like always, Edwin had a plan," he acknowledged. The idea of being manoeuvred into a specific pathway was intriguing and a bit unsettling, but Marcellus also recognized the potential advantages of being under the guidance of someone as experienced as Edwin, he wouldn't be begging for scraps of knowledge from Aulus and the church, he also had to train Finn too.
As Marcellus left Aulus's house, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. His experiences, and his growth as an Aspirant, were not just personal milestones; they were pieces of a larger puzzle.
A puzzle that involved ancient artefacts like the diary, mysterious creatures like the wereshark, and the deep, uncharted waters of the Aspirant world. Each step forward was a step into the unknown. He resolved to follow Aulus' advice and report his condition to Priest Corwin.