...
A week had flown by and Kharon had finalised everything in the Eclipse Sanctum. Seemingly countless hours had passed as he worked tirelessly to improve all aspects of the mansion until it was perfect. Or as close as it could get.
Zack and Freya had continued beast hunting while Philip returned to his technician job. Out of them, only Philip had moved into the Eclipse Sanctum and joined Kharon. This allowed them to work closely and share knowledge about arcana. Now it was finally time for Kharon to begin his mission.
'With Philip's help, I managed to create convincing documents. All I need to do is apply for a job which allows me to move freely. A receptionist would be bound to the reception hall, an arcana researcher wouldn't have much time to move through the building. The best job for me would be as a hired arcana specialist.'
Kharon scratched his head as he looked up at the dark ceiling. He slightly pushed himself up from his large bed as he pondered over his options. He slowly scanned the room, scrutinising every detail. A dark grin slowly crept onto his face as he flew from his bed. His hands quickly landed on a blank sheet of paper and a pen as he sat at his desk.
'I will write a resume for my work. Considering how many little inventions I have created, I will surely be hired. Lie detectors wouldn't be a problem and I have blueprints to prove the validity of my work. Creating pocket dimensions as an arcana user would be a good use of my time. But if I get asked who taught me... what can I say? I don't want to rely on Master Lodge after everything he has done for me...'
While lost in thought, Kharon's unfocused eyes failed to notice the floating pens and pieces of paper as they whirled around in circles. They gently collided against each other as Kharon's thoughts began to shift.
'I have forged a new identity. But that may not be enough. I don't have evidence that I was admitted to Arcana Academy. Learning arcana without a proper instructor and in a civilian area is strictly forbidden without a license or at least a master watching you. I can't pretend to be from a wealthy family either...'
Books began to slowly levitate as they joined the growing whirlwind of objects. They gradually picked up speed, as Kharon's thoughts accelerated. A faint knock broke the trance as a mountain of objects and books dropped onto Kharon just as Philip stepped through the door.
"Umm, are you ok, Architect?"
Slowly pulling himself from the pile, Kharon raised his thumb up as he answered, "I am fine. I was just a bit distracted. Thinking about ways to fool the Association isn't easy. Also just call me Raven when we aren't in a meeting. There is no need to always be formal with me."
Kharon stood up as he picked up several books from the pile. As he placed them back in their rightful place on the shelf, Philip joined him. They quickly rearranged the room as Kharon facepalmed. A long sigh escaped his mouth as his eyes met Philip's concerned gaze. He folded down onto the bed, burying his head in a pillow.
'This is too hard. Why do I even want to infiltrate the Arcane Association? I only have a vague feeling about this. Maybe the answers don't lie in the Association's archives, but with someone in the Association. For all I know, that person's presence or personality or something about them will make me remember.'
"You know... Raven. Joining the Association may not be the only way to gain answers. I have been thinking about what you told us. That you are older than Lunaris Haven and the other things you said. And I think I understand that. I mean, a path that shouldn't exist, fragmented memories, all of it. You shouldn't have to bear it alone and yet you try to. Maybe you didn't just create the Null Order to take down the Association, but also to avoid solitude and free yourself of your path's curse."
Pulling his face from his pillow, Kharon's head turned towards Philip as he rubbed his eyes. Seeing this, Philip smiled as he said, "You try to be a cold and assertive leader, but maybe that isn't you. Or at least that isn't you anymore. Your past and present selves may be clashing. Maybe you should try carving a new path for yourself."
As Philip said this, Kharon felt an agonising pain in his head. He lost control of himself as he began to fall. But before he could land on the ground, he managed to catch himself with Hidden Hand. The pain intensified as Philip knelt beside him.
"Ar- Are you ok?! Is it one of the visions you told us about?! Should I try using my ability-"
"No! I will be fine. I just need a bit of rest."
Blood began dripping onto the floor as Kharon felt the liquid flowing from his nose and ears. Philip swiftly pulled out a napkin as he helped Kharon wipe the red, viscous liquid away. As the pain began to subside, Kharon suddenly watched as everything turned dark.
...
Kharon opened his eyes as he saw a winged figure standing a few meters away. They were in a dark, endless void which seemed devoid of all things. Kharon tried saying something, but what followed was a violent fit of coughs. Before Kharon could react, the winged figure was standing in front of him. As he stared at their face, his eyes widened as he once again tried to speak. But his mouth was swiftly covered.
'This is... me?! Haven't I had this experience before...? I can't fully remember. Why now? Is this the person I was meant to meet? Why can't I recall anything?'
"Could you be quiet?! Always asking and never answering; that won't take you far. Yes you have had this experience before and you don't remember because your memories were altered. We weren't meant to meet again, at least not this soon. But your abnormal aether signature and that question from Philip..."
The winged Kharon sighed as he dropped himself. Kharon quickly stood up as he thought about something.
'You can hear my thought... Why can't I speak here? This place feels eerily familiar. We have been here before haven't we? For a ritual.'
"That is correct. Our tier 2 ritual to be exact. Stepping outside of reality and coming back intact. Well as intact as we can be. But that isn't important for now. Something abnormal is happening and you need to stop it; it may have something to do with that tompkeeper. Also, going to the Association is a waste of time. You need to return to the mausoleum. Once you go back there, you will find the answers to everything. But all this knowledge could kill you."
The winged Kharon looked at his counterpart as he sighed. He began to fold his wings as he stroked it gently. Kharon looked at this scene in utter confusion as his winged self continued to do this. After what felt like eternity, the winged Kharon pulled out several of his feathers. His eyes bulged as he held in a scream. Walking quickly towards himself, he handed Kharon the feathers.
"These feathers will manifest once you are ready. You will slowly remember this conversation over time. Don't try and force it unless you want 'Him' to stir. Suppress him for as long as possible."
The winged Kharon began runeweaving as complex symbols began to float around him. Kharon couldn't even begin to comprehend the symbols as they flew into him. His mind was filled with questions and answers as he began to feel light-headed.
"Avoid asking questions until you are an angel. Your mind has almost completely collapsed several times. If it happens again, you will be incapacitated for far longer than a month. Consider the time saved a little gift and focus on your mission. You can still go to the Association, but that should be saved for the future. Gain the power you need to make demands and protect yourself before going there."
Before Kharon could say anything, his forehead was tapped as he began to fall. His mind seemed to be shutting down with each passing second. He heard muffled words but the only thing he could make out was, "Good luck."
...
Opening his eyes, Kharon shot up from his bed. Sitting next to him was Philip. His legs shook quickly as he tapped the floor nervously. As he saw Kharon sit up, he quickly jumped from his seat and left the room. He returned with a tray full of warm food and a few drinks. As he walked back in, he placed the tray on Kharon's nightstand. Philip sat back down as Kharon looked at him. But before Kharon could say anything, Philip began to frantically ask him questions.
"Are you ok, Raven?! You have been out for a few hours. Try eating something. I got drinks. Are you dehydrated? Do you need anything specific?"
Kharon looked at Philip's worried face as he gave him a little smile and answered, "I am fine, Philip. Don't worry. I will be ok..."