"When we returned, the gods of Keonna seemed divided over your judgment, which resulted in several local gods and demigods also having differing opinions" Yvaine began to count as she rummaged through the bookshelves. "It was discussed about your curse and the fact that you are a twin."
Cale listened carefully, squeezing his fingers close to the chest without being able to idealize the scenario said.
"My family... what happened to them?"
"As we said, they are well. Alinys has continued with her missions to ascend as a heroine, and so some demigods have allied themselves with her. Especially when he set up a team to go through absolutely all the information about your trial."
"Ereghast destroyed the Temple of Erudition in retaliation for your judgment. Your sister has been acting under his name to investigate the gods of Keonna" Aries said as he leaned against a shelf of books "We joined her, but we were limited since before the divine laws, it is forbidden to take you from exile."
"So, basically, you're free to go around, but if someone finds out I'm back, we'll have a problem?"
"Although my father was ordered to bring you back that day, he did not. Your exile has not been broken, so running away is considered a crime."
Cale frowned. Something was wrong.
He remembered perfectly Ruen allowing the Herald to continue with the trial. If it was to rescue him immediately, then why would they allow the trial to take place?
Ah... it's true... She was one of those who cursed him.
Clenching his teeth, Cale faced Yvaine.
"This is all very confusing" Cale sighed as he raised his purple eyes to the books. "I can't understand what the gods are planning."
"We're all confused, brat" Aries scratched his neck. "We only know that we had to act secretly, since Nuria's son was keen to prevent any attempt at rescue. Every time Yvaine could feel an opening in the portal to the World of Chaos, he would appear and stop us. There came a time when the gods began to track us too."
"Your father was a great help in this process" Yvaine looked at Cale, with a thin smile on his face as a sign to cheer up her master. "Master Gaspar was the one who guided us all in this process, although he had to keep appearances for humans in order not to alert them."
Cale's heart warmed with that. It sounded like something his father would do. He was not afraid of the higher gods, who were stronger than him. Cale could imagine that his father would make every effort to rescue him.
Ah, what a miss.
"I am grateful that you have dedicated all these centuries to bring me back." Cale murmured, relaxing his shoulders a little.
"Show your gratitude by speaking more of your part" Aries asked, hiding the slight blush ashamed.
Cale laughed low and stepped forward, feeling a little more comfortable in their presence. Mainly for feeling that Aries could remain the same as five hundred years ago.
Damn, how hard it was to digest that time.
"Weakness, cowardice and limitation" he began, lowering his voice to the two subordinates "These are the three curses that were imposed on me by three higher gods."
Aries and Yvaine widened their eyes.
"Higher gods?" Aries took a step forward "You mean that... but why?"
"A blessing of the Universe" Yvaine murmured pensively "I believe that the fear of losing the divine throne has led these gods to petty actions."
"But how can they go so low! I never heard of this boy before meeting him in that training. Why would they curse him just for being born a twin?"
"That's what we'll find out" Cale looked at them, with determination and rancour "We're here to find a way to circumvent each of these curses. I want to get stronger and face them myself. Make them pay for every drop of blood I shed in that hell."
"Haa... That's right. The impossible doesn't exist in my world."
Aries unstitched from the shelf and began to search the books on the shelves. Now that Aries knew a little more about the curses, he would start looking for more information. The challenge to train Cale and somehow circumvent the curses was a challenge that made the blood of Aries pulsate.
"My lord" Yvaine called him "About the Time Keeper... what is he like?"
"Ham... normal, I think? It's a man with purple eyes... tall... he has a strong presence and aura."
"A man with purple eyes?" She tilted her head. "Like yours and Alinys?"
"Yes, why?"
"Nothing" Yvaine looked at the books that he had picked up. "I always imagined it was a force that had no face, only an idea or existence that had no physical form."
As Yvaine walked down the long corridor, reading the titles of the brochures, Cale followed her timidly behind.
"Aries also reacted with surprise before... by chance the Guardian is someone you know?"
"Don't you know?" Yvaine looked at him surprised.
Cale nodded. Well, he had been raised in a human village, living a human life. Despite his willingness to become a priest, Cale knew very well that he lacked much knowledge about the gods.
Yvaine sighed and walked back down the corridor of the library until she reached a wall where there was a painting. The play of bright colors in blue tone formed a distinct but imposing silhouette. A mysterious figure that seemed to be strong and divine.
"The Guardian of Time is the one who represents the greatest existing divine force, the Voice of the Universe."
"I know that the Voice of the Universe was who gave rise to all life... my mother said that absolutely everything and everyone came from it will."
"Exactly. Unlike the Voice of the Universe, the Guardian of Time is a relatively new divine figure, existing a few hundred years ago. However, it was his mysterious figure that gave rise to stories, since it is only reported in myths of small villages who are said to have dreamed with time."
"And why is it seen as myth?" Cale asked, frowning. "If it is so important, would the higher gods have no interest in keeping it relevant?"
Yvaine hesitated for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully.
"Perhaps because his existence defies the order of the higher gods. He does not belong to them, does not answer to anyone but the Voice of the Universe. And..." she stopped, looking at Aries as if seeking support.
"And the higher gods are afraid of him" completed Aries, the voice laden with disdain. "A force beyond their control, representing time and balance? Of course they would do anything to bury it under layers of lies and silence."
Cale felt a shiver. The idea that even the higher gods feared something was unsettling. He looked at his arms, where the golden marks still sparkled in the light.
"And now he's using me as part of it" he muttered, opening a diabolical smile.
It was not uncommon for the gods to become known only because of the myths that humans tell. Cale recalled his sister saying that for a demigod to rise in rank, human belief about them was necessary.
Now that Cale thought about it, it meant that Aries and Yvaine already had humans praying for them, after all, one is a guardian and the other is an ascended goddess.
Who was he next to them?
"But the story of the Guardian is as if it was purposely hidden. Over time, he became known only as a mere fairy-tale character, whose existence would not be considered true. After all, there was never any evidence other than myths."
The world was so vast, that hearing stories like those, Cale felt like an ant. Were there unknown gods and demigods, such as the figure of the Guardian? Cale used to be one of them, after all he had lived as a human without really getting involved with the divine duties.
Although now he had no escape.
For the next few hours, the three of them dived into the old books and scrolls. For the first time, Cale knew the world of gods that he had so much ignored until then. Knowledge made him aware of his smallness.
What caught his attention most was the fact that curses were not mentioned in those books.
Whether textbooks or fairy tales... none of them mentioned curses. It was just frustrating.
When the night darkened the world, the magic torches lit themselves, partially illuminating the huge library. They were exhausted, surrounded by books and scrolls. It was then that the sound of high heels broke the silence, and the three pairs of eyes fell upon the elegant figure of Norril.
"Have you had any success in your search?"
"No" Yvaine sighed, resting the book on her lap "As I feared, curses are a taboo subject. I was hoping that your collection had something, but..."
"The gods are not ready to deal with unknown forces like curses. Although one or the other enjoys making them real" Norril turned her back, and looked at the three on their shoulders "Please accompany me."
They exchanged glances, but got up and left the island of knowledge that did not help their searches. The four crossed the huge library in what seemed to be an endless walk. Cale took the moment to look around, realizing that the huge shelves were organized in a unique way.
It was like a maze.
Even more surprising that Yvaine knew how to walk there before, when she showed the painting on the wall.
Norril finally reached what seemed to be the end of the huge library. A golden double door was opened to his step, revealing a dark corridor. They did not have to walk much in the corridor, they finally reached a large chamber with a central space whose altar was mounted. Around, artifacts, books and scrolls were exposed in glass boxes to be preserved.
"I figured you wouldn't find anything, so I prepared this room for an experiment." Norril stopped in the center of space and turned to the three with a calculating look. "As a Guardian of Knowledge, I am naturally attracted to the unknown. There is no writing about curses, so... We'll make one of you, Cale Arkalis."
"What are you planning?" Aries growled, getting out front protectively.
"Go through his memories and find out more about the curses. What I find will be a profit for you and me."
Cale felt a shiver at hearing the proposal of Norril. Going through his memories was more than invading his mind; it was exposing his traumas, reliving what he had been through Nuria, the judgment of the gods and abandonment in the World of Chaos.
He looked at Norril. The Guardian of Knowledge was imposing, but her eyes shone with a mixture of academic curiosity and impassiveness. There was no pity or judgment, only the desire to unravel the mysteries he carried.
"We can't accept this so easily!" Aries exclaimed, standing before Cale. His sword was raised, ready to defend his master. "Do you want to use his memories as an experiment?"
"Aries..." Yvaine started, but was cut by Norril.
"Your master is not as frail as you think, Aries. He carries the marks of the Time Keeper and has survived the World of Chaos." Her eyes were fixed on Cale. "The question is: does he trust me enough to allow this?"
Cale felt the pressure of all eyes on him. He knew that trust was still a problem between them, and Aries clearly did not trust Norril. But he also knew it was necessary.
"What exactly will you see?" he asked, his voice laden with hesitation.
"All that is related to their curses" answered Norril without hesitation. "I have no interest in the boy's personal life, unless it is directly connected to the marks he carries."
Aries snorted, but did not lower his sword.
"It doesn't change the fact that she's playing with fire."
"Aries, please" Yvaine put her hand on his arm, trying to calm him down. "If we want answers, we need to take risks."
The warrior looked at her, and then at Cale. His jaw was clenched, but he finally took a step back, although he kept his hand in the grip of the sword.
"I'm just saying that it sounds dangerous" he muttered.
Cale inspired deeply. The memories that Norril sought were like open wounds he tried to ignore. But if that meant advancing in his journey, he would face it. Staring at his Theiodesmos, he opened a tired smile.
"Get some tea and cookies, because we're going to need to vomit something when this is over."