Something was off in the Guild. Zephyr sensed it in the way his fellow Initiates stared at him in murmurs, which would die down the instant he entered a room, and in the way Mira held her gaze just that fraction of a second too long when she thought he wasn't looking. Rumours of corruption by the Abyss spread swifter than wildfire, and it would seem that his name was being whispered along with them. His shadow-based powers, darkening day by day, were becoming just as much a symbol of fear as of strength.
As Zephyr entered the great hall, Alistair stood waiting, a scowl dark on his face. Mira was at his side, uneasy but not one iota of falters showing. She was his only friend, his hold to the world, and he could most definitely count on her support right now.
"Zephyr," Alistair greeted him with a stiff nod, his hand gesturing for Zephyr to follow. "We need to speak. Alone."
Mira nodded reassuringly as they walked, but he could see the tension in her shoulders. They made their way down a winding corridor to the underground meeting chambers of the Guild-reserved for sensitive conversations and secret councils. Through a heavy iron door, he followed Alistair, Mira close on his heels, the weight of secrecy weighing upon him like a living presence.
Inside, several of the older Conduits were waiting; their features half-lit by dim flickering lanterns. Zephyr knew a few of them; there was Elder Corin, for one, whose expression was unreadable as he watched Zephyr enter. There was something in the air, a feeling like judgement, as though they'd reached a verdict already and were just waiting on him to confirm it.
Alistair cleared his throat; the hollowness of voice in the stillness was rather startling. "Zephyr, do you know why you're here?"
Zephyr straightened, eyes going from one to the next with defiance. "I can guess. You think I'm losing control.
A woman, with piercing grey eyes, leant forward amongst the Conduits. "Your power has grown so rapidly, Zephyr. The shadows listen to you, but we've seen such strength take people down, from the inside out. Tell us-are you certain you have not been touched by corruption?
Zephyr faltered, his mind slipping to the whispered honey of Kael'thar's assurances: They fear you because they know you are capable of more than they could ever be. The voice hissed temptingly, begging him to speak his truth. But he pushed it aside and focused on the faces in front of him.
"I've struggled, yes," he said, his voice steady. "But I'm not corrupt. My loyalty is to the Guild, to the mission we all share."
Alistair's face softened, but only partially. "Words are easy, Zephyr. Actions are harder. There's been… evidence that something like Abyssal manipulation has taken place among the Initiates. Shadow manipulation, to be specific."
The weight of his words fell into Zephyr's chest. "You think… you think I've been corrupting other Initiates?"
The Conduits said nothing, and within that silence was where Zephyr felt a sting of betrayal. He'd given all to the Guild, yet here he was-being treated like a potential traitor. His hands clenched into fists as shadows began to flicker at his fingertips before he forced them down.
She stepped forward, her voice firm but full of conviction. "With all respect, Zephyr here has braved more danger serving the Guild than any one of us in this room; he has been open about his weaknesses, and I have witnessed how desperately he fights against the Abyssal influence. This suspicion… it's so not based on anything.".
The grey-eyed Conduit snorted and leant back, a bitter smirk twisting his face. "Loyalty blinds even the strongest of us, Mira. Zephyr is a danger to himself and to the Guild until we're certain of his allegiance."
Zephyr's anger surged, and instinctively the Abyssal energy within him reacted to his passion. He could feel the whispers rising louder, urging him to unleash the power that he held, to show these doubters what he was capable of. He fought it, taking a deep breath to calm himself, but he saw the wary glances that crossed between the Conduits, the subtle shift in stances to be prepared to counter him should he lose control of it.
I am not here to prove anything to you," his voice low-pitched with the undercurrent of danger. "And if I wanted to fall under Abyss, you already would have known."
Alistair lifted a calming hand. "Enough, Zephyr. We are here to help you, but the trust needs to go both ways. We do need to see in your eyes that you're committed to fighting the Abyss beyond words.
Zephyr forced himself to let go, uncurling his fists. "Fine. Tell me what I have to do."
Alistair exchanged a look with Corin, who nodded solemnly. "There's a ritual," Corin said, his voice measured. "A binding ceremony that will root out any trace of corruption in your soul. It's painful, invasive… but it will show us the truth.
Mira paled, then took a step forward. "You can't be serious. That ritual could break him. It's not meant for Initiates!"
Zephyr met her gaze, his own resolution hardening. "If that is what it takes, then I will do it."
Mira's eyes were wide with concern, as if she wanted to protest; she knew as well as he, however, that refusal would only make the Guild's suspicions worse. The room fell silent from then on until the Conduits began their preparations of the ritual: their fingers wove glyphs in the shining air filled with Arcane stability, sharp and unforgiving.
Corin stepped forward; his eyes reflected the weight of what sounded like regret. "The Abyss is not something you overcome, Zephyr. It changes you, regardless of willpower. You may come out of this ritual untainted by corruption, but that would not make you the same."
Zephyr nodded as he initiated the ritual.
This was an agony unlike anything he had ever experienced. The abyssal energy, normally an extension of his own will, was akin to some alien poison torn from his very soul. The Conduits chanted in unison, their voices weaving into a tapestry of harsh, arcane tones. He felt himself being torn open layer by layer, every hidden fear dragged to the surface, every moment of doubt laid bare.
The whispers of Kael'thar were louder now than they had ever been, taunting him with the power that could be his if he'd only let go. They fear you, Zephyr. They want to control you because they know you're beyond them. You don't need their approval-embrace your destiny, and they'll fall before you.
But he fought it, holding on with all his might to his humanity, refusing to give in. This was his choice-his life, and he refused to yield that to anyone. Not even the Abyss.
It crescendoed, the pain blinding-until it just stopped. The chanting stopped. The light from the glyphs faded until there was only silence. Zephyr fell to his knees, gasping, his body feeling like it had taken part in a war.
Alistair knelt beside him, expression solemn but relieved. "You're clean, Zephyr. There's no hint of corruption within you.
Comforting words, but they'd had only the effect of hollowing him out. He'd made it through the ritual, proved his commitment-and yet he knew, deep down in his bones, it was still in there, waiting, watching. It had sunk too deeply into him for any ritual to extract from his soul.
He stood, and Mira hurried to his side, her eyes wide with concern. "Are you all right?
He forced a smile, nodding. "I'll be fine. Just… need a moment."
The Conduits looked at him with the same mixture of respect and wariness, suspicion quieted rather than erased. And in the glance Zephyr swept around the room, he knew something had changed. They could trust him now, but the darkness inside him had left its mark. His allegiance would forever be in question; his strength a blessing and a curse.
When they left the chamber, Mira smiled reassuringly at him; but in the glance she gave he saw an echo of restraint, a shadow of distrust yet between them. And he knew that now, cleansed by the ritual, he was not the same.
Unblemished by corruption, he was yet bound to the Abyss, its pull strengthening with each passing day, its whispers the sweet nothings of seduction. Finally he knew this was only the beginning of the battle for his soul.