In the dimly lit chamber, the tension thickened as Severin, the enigmatic newcomer, attempted to assert his dominance over Marcellus using his formidable Aspirant abilities.
The room crackled with a sense of impending conflict, a clash of wills between two individuals who possessed extraordinary powers.
Severin, with a sly and disarming tone, muttered a casual, enigmatic sentence to lull Marcellus and Livius into a false sense of security:
"Man, this night will not end without a twist or two..."
Severin, confident in his abilities, extended his mental reach toward Marcellus and Livius through his words, seeking to manipulate his thoughts and perception.
With a calculated effort, he initiated a mental interference, attempting to instil false memories and beliefs in the perceptive Marcellus. However…
As Severin delved into Marcellus's mind, he encountered a formidable barrier, a resilience that seemed to emanate from the very core of Marcellus's being.
It was a resistance born of Marcellus's unique condition as a Hollowed, a state of being that had shed derangements and animalistic quirks, leaving behind a mind that was not easily swayed.
In the intricate hierarchy of the divine and the mystical, there existed a natural order, an unspoken sequence of power. Severin, as a Sequence 7, held a distinct advantage, while Marcellus, a Sequence 9, found himself at a disadvantage in their battle of wills.
it barely lasted a second.
The gap between their sequences was significant, a chasm that could not be easily bridged by an individual's uniqueness or strength of will.
It was a fundamental truth that a Sequence 9 could never hope to counter a Sequence 7, even if their powers seemed to counteract each other perfectly.
In less than a second, the outcome of the battle between Sequence 7 and Sequence 9 became painfully obvious.
Severin's mental influence on Marcellus faltered for a fleeting moment, Severin didn't even realize it, his attention had been divided. Severin had ventured into enemy territory, and in this intricate dance of power and manipulation, being too focused on what was in front of you was a perilous mistake.
His attempts to manipulate Marcellus's and Livius's memories proved to be a resounding success, a testament to Severin's formidable Cipherist abilities.
It was no surprise to him; he had planned this with calculated precision.
The intricate memories of their lives had taken a turn, as the memories of Marcellus and Livius had been subtly altered, and their perceptions of past events forever shifted.
Marcellus and Livius now remember Severin as a genuine companion.
Severin had been meticulously planning this move for about a month, sent on a covert mission to investigate the governor and his dealings.
In the Tethys sea of intricate narratives and hidden agendas, trust and truth were rare commodities, and Severin was naturally wary of those he encountered, particularly Priest Corwin and Knight Ralf.
His knowledge of Priest Corwin's abilities had been a calculated assumption of public information with the Church of Storm, rooted in the priest's status as a Sequence 7 Dread Pirate.
As a skilled Cipherist, confirming such knowledge had been relatively straightforward for Severin.
However, Knight Ralf was a different story. Severin harboured doubts about Ralf's true nature and abilities. While he suspected that Ralf might be a mundane knight, he couldn't rule out the possibility that he belonged to one of the other pathways. In this world, many individuals kept their true powers hidden, making it challenging for Severin to ascertain their capabilities.
Few pathways, like Seer, Jinx, or Mystic Seeker, could definitively confirm a person's pathway or sequence.
As he encountered Ralf on the stairway, Severin's nerves were on edge.
He understood the danger of underestimating someone simply because they didn't openly display their abilities. Every encounter held the potential for unexpected twists and turns, and Severin was determined to navigate the treacherous waters of Tethys sea with caution and precision.
Severin, having successfully manipulated Marcellus and Livius's memories, allowed himself a momentary relaxation.
A sense of satisfaction washed over him, and he took a confident step forward, his cobalt-blue eyes reflecting a mixture of surprise and unwavering determination.
He knew that he was now on the final stretch of his mission, but he was under no illusion that it would be easy. Complications and unexpected challenges often arose during this critical phase.
"...and I fear that the most unexpected is yet to come," Severin concluded, flashing a sly and self-assured smirk that hinted at his hidden agenda.
Ralf, always one to keep his thoughts close to his chest, replied with a vague and noncommittal sentence, "Surely, twists are as common as shadows in the night."
Marcellus and Livius, their memories subtly altered by Severin's manipulation, rose from their seats to greet him as though he were an old and trusted friend.
Marcellus, his voice filled with warmth and camaraderie, said, "Severin, it's been far too long. How have you been, my friend?"
Livius, similarly affable, chimed in, "Indeed, Severin. Your unexpected visit is a welcome surprise. What brings you here today?"
Their actions and words were in stark contrast to Marcellus' previous scepticism, a testament to the power of Severin's memory manipulation.
Severin acknowledged their greetings with a warm facade, masking the intricate web of deceit he had woven. He then revealed the purpose of his visit, mentioning a young girl who desperately wished to see her father.
Marcellus and Livius, now sympathetic and trusting, readily agreed to help Severin in his endeavour.
Ralf, with the strength of both a sailor and a knight, approached a set of shelves cluttered with scrolls.
With a determined effort, he removed one of the shelves, unveiling a hidden stone that resembled a circular slab of rock. It was a secret entrance, concealed from prying eyes.
Ralf, driven by Severin's Eloquent persuasions, used his physical prowess to roll the stone aside, revealing a concealed cave or room beyond.
Severin's smile widened, a silent acknowledgement of Ralf's contribution.
With the stone removed, Severin stepped forward, disappearing into the hidden chamber. Moments later, he reemerged, leading the person he had mentioned earlier.
Shirtless and with an unruly beard, the young adult emerged from the hidden chamber, his upper body wrapped in bandages that revealed hints of blood. It was clear he needed to change his bandages, but time was a luxury they couldn't afford.
Severin's gaze landed with icy precision on the accomplice, Caeso, a man whose past attempts to ensnare or harm Marcellus were subverted by Edwin and Priest Corwin. This attempt had taken place during a vulnerable moment when Marcellus was rendered defenceless, incapacitated by a sleeping agent administered by Ingrid.
Since his defeat, Caeso had found himself confined, a prisoner under the vigilant guard of Priest Corwin.
Now, with the tables turned, Severin had arrived to his rescue. With an air of unshakable confidence, he addressed Caeso, his words carrying the weight of his newfound resolve.
"Heh heh, it's your lucky day to be rescued by me," Severin remarked, a smug smile on his face. "Your master surely owes me now. In any case, go ashore, steal a boat, and get to your master who's on one of the ships."
Caeso, still recovering from his injuries and adjusting his eyes to the brightness of the lanterns, inquired, "What about you?"
Severin's expression turned cryptic. "I have some business to finish up. It's reasonable to take care of hidden dangers, Caeso. I'm sure your master taught you not to pry into others' business."
Caeso hesitated, explaining, "I have wounds. I can barely make it up the stairs."
Severin clicked his tongue in annoyance. He surveyed the faces of Marcellus and Livius, assessing their skills. Then he asked, "Which of you is proficient with a sword?"
The answer was apparent. It was quickly decided that Livius, being less skilled with a sword and lacking any special abilities, would assist Caeso in making it to the docks and help him paddle the stolen boat.
As they exited the hold, Severin moved swiftly and decisively. He grabbed a couple of lanterns and with a powerful swing, shattered them, causing the flames to sputter and the oil to spill.
His aim was precise as he sprayed the lanterns' oil across the Stormseekers' scrolls, the very records of Caeso's capture and any potential information the Stormseekers might have on him.
By the time they reached the top of the staircase, Severin had seized one of the flame torches that illuminated the chapel. With a deliberate toss, he hurled it back into the hold. A whoosh of flames erupted as the hold caught ablaze, devouring the incriminating evidence and leaving behind fiery chaos.
Severin swiftly made his way through the crowd of people who had sought refuge in the chapel and reunited with Marcellus and Ralf, who were waiting outside. Time had been too short for him to attempt any manipulation to make them burn the hold as he had done with the scrolls.
It was evident that the chapel had become a sanctuary for those seeking shelter from whatever the six ominous ships intended.
As he exited, he couldn't help but cast a fleeting glance back at the gathering of souls within, the chapel's sacred atmosphere now tainted by the unfolding events.
Stone could not melt right Severin wondered.