Ugh, my head. Again with these damn headaches.
I felt like someone had driven a nail straight through my skull. I was flat on the ground - face-first, judging by the ache in my nose - and my body screamed like I'd just collapsed at the finish line of a marathon.
Groaning, I slowly pushed myself up, wiping dust from my face, limbs shaking from exertion as I stood up and stretched. My vision was hazy, but I could feel it - eyes. Hundreds of them. Staring right at me.
My own eyes finally adjusted.
Shock. Apprehension. Curiosity. A few looks of jealousy.
Why the hell is everyone looking at me like that?
Then it hit me. The ceremony. The priest. The cage.
Before I could fully collect myself, I heard the old voice again - calm and ancient. Yet I could hear a weird tone from it, something I couldn't fully describe.
"Damian, who has no family. Kneel."
Shit.
"Yes, Your Holiness."
I dropped to my knees as fast as my aching muscles allowed. The priest stood before me once more, motionless and unreadable - no blood, no mutated face, no eldritch horror. Just the faceless clergy robe again. Polished white. Silent.
Still… I couldn't look directly at him. Part of me expected that grotesque half-mechanical, half-decayed monstrosity to resurface. But no - all I felt now was calm. Oddly calm.
Maybe it was Charlotte's doing. Or maybe I was just so exhausted I couldn't care anymore.
Whatever the reason, I stayed there, silent.
Murmurs rippled through the room again. I swallowed the nervousness coiling in my chest. Had they seen my Divine manifestation while I was unconscious? If so… what color had it been?
I had to trust Charlotte had masked it.
Please don't be black.
For one in this life, I think I actually offered a heartfelt prayer to whoever would listen.
The priest finally stepped forward.
The weight of the moment settled on my shoulders like a blade. It felt like I was kneeling before an executioner - uncertain if his axe would fall.
I barely breathed.
Then, in a voice just faintly lighter than before, he spoke.
"Damian, who has no family. Awakener on the Path of the Unwritten. We welcome you into the fold under His watchful eye. Rise, servant of the One True God. Serve Him faithfully, and never falter."
A surge of relief crashed through me.
My knees nearly buckled as I rose - this time with permission. My heart, which had been hammering against my ribs like a war drum, finally slowed. My hands were still trembling slightly, but I masked it behind my usual deadpan expression.
I glanced at the priest as I turned. His hood concealed all. The white hood reflected candlelight, but the face beneath remained unseen. Untouchable.
I was more than a little curious.
You know what, I think I'd rather stay curious right now.
I stepped down from the stage, the murmurs swelling behind me.
"An Awakener and a Veilwalker?"
"The Path of the Unwritten? I've never even heard of it."
"It must be one of the Wandering Pathways! By our Lords grace..."
"A commoner with no lineage… who's bastard is he?"
Same song, different verse. I had heard it before, but not hearing heretic certainly made me feel much better.
I ignored them for now. Not worth the attention.
Except for the one pair of eyes boring into my back like twin daggers dipped in curiosity. I felt like my jacket would burn up in golden flames.
Don't turn around Damian. I don't care how hard you're staring, Mary. You're not getting into my head, you crazy woman.
I returned to my seat and locked eyes with Arthur.
As usual, that perfect poster-boy smile was on his face - but I could see it clearly now - he was shaken. Maybe even more than me.
He leaned in and whispered.
"Damian… I don't know how you pulled that off. I was fully prepared to fight our way out. I should've trusted you when you said you had a plan."
You were right to doubt me. I had nothing.
I'm just lucky Arthur isn't a religious nutter like the rest, albeit hes still more religious than me...
Recounting all the religious studies I was enrolled in at the orphanage, I felt the need to grimace, but held it back.
I raised an eyebrow and whispered back with mock offense.
"Arthur, my dear friend. The wounds may take years to heal… but perhaps I can find it in my heart to forgive you - for a price."
I rubbed my fingers together in the classic money gesture.
Arthur rolled his eyes, smirking. Glad that my humor hadn't soured from the experience.
Then he nodded toward the stage.
The Regent stepped forward once again, his tone commanding, holding his crystal amplifier with practiced authority.
"Brothers and sisters. Need I say anything? Today, our city bore witness to the rise of a Veilwalker on the Path of the Hallowed - the first since the Emperor himself. And a commoner, with no noble lineage, has awakened to a path long thought lost to time. The Path of the Unwritten."
He let that linger. The crowd quieted. Gravity reasserted itself.
"We are not merely witnesses to talent. We are witnesses to a turning point. And perhaps… a new age."
The chamber echoed with "Praise be to the Almighty!" and "Glory to the Emperor of Man!"
The Regent raised a hand again.
"One more announcement, if you'll indulge me. As General of Defense of the territory of the Greater Morren District, I have served this Empire for sixty years. Today, I announce my retirement."
Gasps. Shouts. Dozens of voices erupted in disbelief.
Some of the old guards looked like someone had slapped them. Others seemed almost offended.
Still - all of them respected him.
"And today, I name my successor. He has served beside me for only six years, but his brilliance, loyalty, and capability are undeniable. You all know the man who crushed the northern heretic uprising. A faithful servant to the Empire. Please welcome… Arthur Solmere."
Thunderous applause. Cheers. Even some whistles.
I watched Arthur stand, wave with modest grace, and head to the podium. That smile again - the candlelight making his golden hair glow like a saint's halo.
But I could tell. That smile wasn't just pleased.
It was self-satisfied.
Oh, he's loving this. Great. I'll never hear the end of it. Hes sucking up all the oxygen in the room now.
Arthur bowed slightly - until the Regent pulled him upright and said something I couldn't hear. They shared a nod, a subtle exchange of power.
Arthur took the podium.
"Comrades. It is an honor to accept this position. The Regent has not just been our leader - he has been our shield, our mentor, and our father…"
And I zoned out.
Not completely from boredom - but more from the weight of what had just happened.
The cage. Charlotte. Her eyes.
Why had it all felt so familiar?
And why did I feel like it belonged to me?
I was about to follow that line of thought when I felt it again - her.
Mary's gaze burned into the back of my head like sunlight through glass.
Not now. Please, just… not now.
You and I, Mary, we're walking the same edge. Hiding the same truth.
If either of us is ever exposed… it's over.
I glanced down at the tabletop, fingers flexing slowly.
There's a reason I asked Charlotte to hide my eyes.
Because in this world, when someone awakens eyes like mine…
They're not called gifted.
They're not called holy.
They're not called chosen.
They're called heretics.
Traitors to Mankind.