Chapter 73: Five Faes.
"Life?"
Curious, Skadi turned to the Historian’s direction.
The old man simply nodded.
"Throughout my entire life, I’ve only heard the Concept of Life existing twice, not counting now.."
He let out a deep breath.
"One from my young age, and once when I was on an expedition with Shenikah.."
His eyes turned nostalgic.
"To think that she’s found its Zeal lying in the Core Sea.. I wonder what her true purpose is with it..?"
The Historian brushed his chin.
Cetas then interjected.
"I don’t think she had a purpose with Life itself. Rather, when I was in there, she said that I’ve failed in accomplishing her task."
"Task?" Jones asked.
"Yes.." Cetas slowly nodded, facing the direction of Jones, "It seemed like she wanted me to find something else.."
The Historian’s eyes widened. Then, he shook his head.
"Something on your mind, sir?" Skadi turned to his direction, noticing his unusual actions.
"No.. Nothing. Don’t mind me."
"Alright then."
She turned to Cetas.
"Continue, Cetas. How did you get ’Life’?"
Before Cetas could answer, Elishia stopped him.
"Wait wait! Aren’t we forgetting to address the most important thing?"
Her eyes were curious. A streak of her auburn hair flowed down to her neck.
"How could a Spark host a Conceptual Zeal or whatever? Isn’t it only limited to Pathfinders?"
"Madam Elishia is correct, I, too, am curious regarding this.." Jones added.
The crew turned to the Historian.
After a second has passed, the Historian answered:
"Naturally, when a Spark, low-level and mid-level Acumen, harnesses a Concept their bodies would convulse and reject the Zeal from within. But in your case.."
He looked at Cetas’ body, scanning it thoroughly.
"I am not too sure either.. But my guess is that you have a natural affinity to Life."
He adjusted his glasses.
"You also obtained a Forbidden Zeal—the most dangerous one at that. As a being from the Depths, your body is naturally inclined to be attuned to Water. As Water is the source of all Life, that natural attunement makes your body be able to handle the Concept of Life. That is the most common deduction, of course, there could be more underlying factors to this."
Cetas listened attentively
"As of right now, the Conceptual Zeal is passively reinforcing your body." He looked at Cetas’ hand. "As is evident with your hastened regeneration. Although.."
The Historian’s voice turned grim.
"If you ever find yourself actively using that Zeal, your body will succumb to the Zeal—losing your control and turning you into a Dreadspawn."
A shiver was sent to his spine.
"Do be careful in handling it.."
"Aye." Cetas replied.
The crew turned silent for a while.
Right now, they have gained a member that possessed a Conceptual Zeal! It was unheard of..
For some, it was the first time they heard the term Conceptual Zeal. For those that were already familiar with it, they remained silent.
In fact, Skadi was deep in contemplation.
Right now, based on the Rule of Divinity, Cetas was sure to attract far more terrifying Dreadspawns and Zealots towards their way. Originally, his innate self would’ve attracted more, but now, with a Conceptual Zeal in his body, she was not sure if the struggles up ahead would be far greater than before.
Skadi was unsure..
Unsure of whether to keep Cetas or not in the crew.
On one side, they were going to be in constant danger. Maybe weeks of constant tiresome work where their struggles may lead them to become severely injured or even die!
And on the other hand, Cetas’ ceiling of potential was higher than the sky. If she could nurture him on the good path, making him a Pathfinder or even an Empyrean, then Skadi would gain a great ally!
Not just an ally, but something greater.
Before Skadi could decide, she knew there were a few more factors lying in wait.
She once again faced Cetas and spoke:
"Cetas, tell us how you obtained ’Life’."
She went back to her previous question.
Thinking for a moment, Cetas recalled everything that had happened in the dream.
He told them about the lightless depths where he suffered agony and rejuvenation at the same time. He told them about the cycles he went through, the feeling of fear, and the rage he felt at the sea.
Afterwards, he recalled the earthen tunnel with roots bustling with life. The darkness emanated from the distance, and the glow amidst the shadows.
He told them about the large roots and the lime hue that radiated from one of it.
Then, he described the feeling of grasping it, the unrelenting Zeal that pulsated from within—making its way to his body. He recalled the feeling of bursting out with life that he almost wanted to explode.
Then, the momentary arrival of the Prophet of Perfection and the Darkness that came with Them.
He told the Prophet of Perfection’s action of cutting his hand off. The appearance of the white void. And the glimpse of the Drowned God.
Lastly, the Prophet’s chase and desire for Perfection.
"And so.. She freed us from the dream. Although it may not seem like it, even if she put us under a dream, she still saved us from the corruption of the Drowned God."
Silence ensued on the table.
No one knew what to say.
Except for Skadi, of course.
"That Forbidden Zeal of Water, have you-"
"Not yet."
"Good."
She turned to the Historian.
"For now we need to prevent that Zeal of yours, boy. Based on my experience with Zealots that wielded it before, terrors rained down upon cities, wiping out civilizations under the tides, drowning them so that they could be claimed by the Leviathans." The Historian warned.
"Worst of all, you have the Conceptual Zeal of Life. When paired together, we don’t know the dangers that its initial phase possesses." Skadi added.
Cetas looked at the table and silently said, "I understand."
With a satisfied look, Skadi grinned at him.
"Although I’d hate to condone Forbidden Zeals, if things get rough, we’ll use it as a trump card."
She shook her head.
"However, that Conceptual Zeal of yours must never be used. Understand?"
"Aye."
Cetas nodded.
With that, Skadi decided that it was best for the crew to keep Cetas. They had her and the Historian behind them, if dangers were to arise, then they could rely on his strength.
Although his information seems boundless, the Historian was not all-powerful.
Therefore, they still needed to get stronger on their own.
’Stronger..’ Skadi wondered.
She was only one step to becoming a Pathfinder—only needing to do her ritual.
Once she becomes a Pathfinder, would she also find a Conceptual Zeal of her own?
It was uncertain.
The world of Zeal, after all, is a place where mysteries are buried at every corner.
A struggle surfaced upon the crew.
Skadi’s ritual was located in the Poseidon Depths. Facing the Great Leviathan, Skadi already knew that they were clearly outmatched.
That day where Poseidon ate their ship whole..
How could she forget about it?
Luckily, the Historian was there to save them.
’I can’t always rely on the Historian..’
She glimpsed at Cetas.
’But there is a chance.. With him around, maybe we can..?’
Suddenly, she felt the Historian’s gaze wash over her.
His voice rang in her mind.
’Don’t.. Not yet.’
She clicked her tongue.
The Historian then opened his mouth, "With those out of the way, I believe it’s time for the crew to discuss their next destination."
The attention of the crew suddenly surfaced.
"If you wish to keep Cetas in the crew, then you must be wary. From now on, you will face dangers that you’ve never faced before. That is the Rule of Divinity.. I’m sure you’ve already been familiarized with these past few days.
The Historian turned his eyes towards Skadi.
"Captain Skadi, where will you go next?"
Her eyes blazed with passion.
"I want to head to the Poseidon Depths once more, I need to get stronger."
The Historian’s face turned sour.
"You just don’t listen, don’t you.. I’ve warned you several times already, you’re not ready. You’ll only be sailing to your deaths!"
"Then how else would we face the perils coming after us?"
The Historian scratched his silver hair.
"Does everything have to be spoonfed to you?"
Skadi gritted her teeth.
"But.. alright, I owe you all an apology. Therefore, I will give you a clue to your ritual."
The air around them turned silent. The Historian’s aura glowed.
"Harken!"
The lights seemed to flicker.
"Seek the Fae that glides upon the Winds! Search for the Fae that rests upon the Clouds! Scour for the Fae that floats along with the Breeze! Pursue the Fae that drifts in the Gale!"
His voice struck a sense of desire inside of them.
"After obtaining these 4, head upon the Depths where Poseidon resides. Explore the isle uncovered in mists, and find the Fae that hides in its layers!"
"Only after doing so will you become a Pathfinder!"
