Chereads / Ash Grey: Resonance / Chapter 7 - The Weight Of a Promise

Chapter 7 - The Weight Of a Promise

Ash Grey: Resonance

Chapter 7: The weight of a promise.

"So, why do you need me here?" Azil asked, his gaze shifting between Anwyll and Johan.

Both of them stayed silent, causing Azil to frown in confusion. "Why are you both silent?"

Anwyll shifted slightly. "First of all, we need your strength. A sage like you, with your experience of the outer world, is an asset to us".

"And second of all?"

Anwyll hesitated. "Second of all..." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "There's something we need from you."

Azil narrowed his eyes. "Something from me?"

"The Heaven-defying Pendant."

Azil scoffed, locking eyes with Anwyll. "I knew it. You don't need me here for my strength. I wouldn't change much except give you a little extra power."

Anwyll remained quiet.

Azil leaned forward slightly. "So why the pendant?"

Anwyll took a deep breath. "That pendant... It's not just a trinket. It's an artifact that leads to the orb. Think of it as a key to a door. Without it, we can't reach the orb."

"That pendant got that much significance?", Azil asked.

"Yes"

"How do you know that?"

The pendant holds the orb's essence, guiding where none dare claim. "This is what was written on texts", Anwyll said.

Azil exhaled sharply. "That pendant was given to me by someone important, someone I cared about, General Anwyll. You know that. I can't just hand it over."

Anwyll understood. He didn't judge Azil for his words—how could he? He knew better than anyone else. But still, he stayed silent.

"I won't give it away," Azil continued, his voice hardening. "Especially not to a society that cast me aside." He let out a bitter laugh. "And I certainly can't trust you with it."

Anwyll smiled, though it wasn't a smile of joy—it was weighed down by guilt and shame. "You don't have to give it to anyone," he said softly. "Keep it. It's yours. I just need your help with the mission."

Azil stared.

"You only need to use it during the mission," Anwyll said calmly. "You don't have to give it to anyone. I assure you, none will ask you for the pendant."

"I don't need your help for that," Azil replied, leaning forward on the table. "In return, I'll assure you that none will touch my pendant."

Anwyll scoffed, a smile tugging at his lips. It wasn't a moking smile but a smile that knew he can, and he would if he wanted.

"Let me ask you this: will the pendant vanish if it's used to secure the orb?" Azil asked.

"I don't know," Anwyll replied calmly. "Maybe it will, maybe it won't."

Azil's eyes narrowed. "You're not sure?" he scoffed.

Anwyll studied him for a moment, then spoke. "No, I'm not sure. But tell me this—are you really willing to sacrifice innocent lives for a pendant?"

The question hung in the air, silencing Azil.

"Forget about the people of Azara for a moment," Anwyll pressed on. "Think about the ones who live where you do. Are you truly going to let your selfishness bring about their destruction?"

Azil stood frozen. What was I thinking? he wondered. Just for a mere pendant, he was ready to risk everything. No, there was nothing mere about that pendent. To him, it was far more—his life, his purpose, his reason to keep going.

"I'm not asking you to give it away," Anwyll earnestly said. "I'm just asking you to use it—for yourself." He paused, then added softly, "Please."

Anwyll's words made Azil hesitate. A general of his stature—apologizing? It wasn't something Azil had expected. It stirred something in him: guilt, or maybe something deeper.

"General Anwyll," Azil began, "You have known me for many years. I've already lost everything I ever had. The only thing I have left is this pendant. It was precious to her, and yet she gave it to me. It's an heirloom, a family treasure that shouldn't be passed to anyone outside the bloodline. But still she chose me. Despite the many pure-blooded members of her family who deserved it more, she still gave it to an outsider like me."

Anwyll sat quietly, silent. Johan stared at the floor, his face blank, not saying a word.

Azil smiled bitterly. "Even my name… was a gift from her." He paused for a moment before continuing, his voice was more softer. "But you know, people don't call me that. They call me something else." He smiled again. "The gatecrashing dog."

Neither Anwyll nor Johan said anything. They didn't have to. Everyone knew the story. The outsider who wasn't wanted, who wasn't welcomed, but stayed anyway. He bore the scorn, the hate, because someone trusted him with something.

"General Anwyll, if I were selfish, I wouldn't have been here". Anwyll wavered, looking at Azil with guilt. Johan didn't say a word, he didn't held his head up. "Even now I am being selfish—just this once, for something I want to protect".

Seeing both Anwyll and Johan down, Azil knew this wasn't the moment to delve into the past. He had never wanted to confront it, but the emotions simmering within him finally erupted, overwhelming his restraint. He thought to himself, Why did I say this, just why?, Why am I being this pathetic?

"Are you sure the pendant will work?" Azil asked, his voice carrying a hint of hesitation.

Anwyll tilted his head slightly, his expression calm yet unreadable. "The texts... they don't lie. But let's set those aside for now."

Anwyll extended his arm, palm open and facing outward, as though summoning something unseen. Suddenly, a swirl of vapor gathered in his hand, coalescing swiftly into a solid form—a box materialized from thin air. It was old, its surface marked by the greenish tint of oxidized metal. Intricate engravings adorned the lid, their patterns glowing faintly with an otherworldly light.

Azil's eyes fixed on the box as Anwyll opened it. Inside lay a pendant, startlingly similar to the one Azil owned, except this one bore an emerald gem at its center.

For a moment, Azil was speechless.

"It's the Hamon family's pendant—the Forest of Life Pendant," Anwyll said.

"How did you get this?" Azil asked.

"I requested it from the Hamon family," Anwyll replied casually. "They agreed to lend it to me—temporarily, of course—for study."

"They just handed it over? No objections?" Johan cut in with disbelief.

Anwyll chuckled. "Haha. Of course, they trust me."

Now both Azil and Johan was shocked.

He gestured to the pendant. "If you look closely at the gem, you'll see a symbol engraved right into its core."

Azil leaned in.

"The symbol in the texts—it's the same as the one on the pendant," Anwyll said, pointing it out.

But Azil's gaze was fixed on the pendent. "Yeah, it's the same... my pendent have the same symbol" he replied.

"Are you sure?" Anwyll asked.

"Yeah, no doubt about it," Azil said with a slight nod.

"Then, if I am not wrong. The pendants must have some connection to the orbs," Anwyll concluded.

"..."

Both of them fell silent for a moment.

Azil let out a soft sigh. "What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to return... officially, as a Spiritual Sage."

Azil didn't respond immediately. He lowered his gaze, he thought. Everyone was silent for some seconds. Anwyll's eyes remained fixed on him, searching for an answer, while Johan waited just as anxiously.

"Just for this mission."

Anwyll and Johan smiled. Their face became more bright.

"I'll need every detail about this mission and the surge," Azil added firmly. "Don't leave a single thing out."

Anwyll nodded and turned to Johan. "I'll leave that to you."

"Understood," Johan replied.

"Azil," Anwyll continued, "you're free to go now—stroll through Azara if you'd like. Just keep a low profile. No one knows you're here except Johan and me, and I'll need to file a report on your return."

"Hmmm."

"Johan, go with him," Anwyll instructed.

Johan nodded, and both men stood, making their way toward the door. Anwyll leaned back in his chair, watching them leave with a rare smile on his face. For the first time in what felt like ages, he felt the weight on his shoulders ease—at least a little.

But just as Azil reached the door, he paused. Turning back, his sharp eyes fell on Anwyll.

Anwyll tilted his head, puzzled. "Mmh?"

"Where's Enryuu?"

To be continued.....