As it turned out, the Flame was incredibly acquainted with Ascension.
Well, it should have been, considering the Flame was once a God. Whether or not it was evil… that was still up for debate. Supposedly, Gods were not judged on the criteria of men.
They had ascended beyond that mundane concept.
However, when Kieran asked how Gods were created… that was an answer the Flame outright denied to answer. Its change in tone, switching to severity and finality, shocked Kieran momentarily.
Nevertheless, he recovered and mulled over the concepts imparted unto him. Rather than focus on the names, the Flame described the steps taken.
First, an individual — human, inhuman, or unknown — started as an Untaught. Of course, there were cases wherein that wasn't entirely true. But those were rare and hardly enough for consideration. But it could happen, so it couldn't be wholly dismissed.
An Untaught was then mentored, given a Type that would lay the foundation for their future Path, and it was then that they were considered Disciplined. The seven Types were widespread and untainted knowledge, so it had become universally known.
Once a Disciplined had grown to embody the principles of their Type, they would be presented with a Class of their choice befitting of their standards, becoming a Novice in the Way of Ascension.
That moment was when the first step of Ascension could genuinely be taken.
The meaning of the first few steps lay in the Flame's words: prime, advance, awaken, and fortify.
The first three were pretty straightforward, in Kieran's opinion. But that was also because he possessed slight prior knowledge on the matter thanks to being blessed with a Mythic Class and a similarly ranked Sub-Class.
His teachers were privy to bits of information that others had no access to or had to happen upon through grave tribulation. Ascension's price was steep, which was perhaps why the steps beyond a certain point were shrouded in mystery.
'That's my guess at least. Maybe there is a more critical explanation with dire circumstances, but I have no idea currently.'
Based on what the Flame told Kieran, he wouldn't Ascend. However, he would wield the power of one that had, meaning it would be a False Ascension.
Ascension was meant to be done by oneself, not have someone provide it.
And so, what the Flame was doing… came at an even steeper cost. It would effectively cut off Kieran's route of Ascension wherever his current vessel could bear.
Granted, this wouldn't affect him permanently. Not in terms of his own Ascension. At least, he hoped it wouldn't. Many things about this Trial were absurd, which left him reluctant.
'If it does have an effect, I pray that it's in ways that don't complicate my Ascension or hinder my progress. I swear to the Gods…'
The Flame looked over and trained its sinister and vacant gaze on Kieran.
"My child, are you swearing upon things that you shouldn't? I can feel it. I'm in your mind, you know? If you swear upon something… swear to me! Hahaha!"
Kieran's expression soured.
At first, he could ignore it. But the more the Flame called him its child, the more unnerved and disturbed he grew. It was a jarring feeling.
Eventually, he ignored the Flame and resumed his absorption of the imparted knowledge.
A Novice required Priming — preparing the Disciplined's conviction by instilling principles of their Class.
Once that was achieved, a Novice would face continual stimulation and challenge until their character had been primed. By then, the strengths and weaknesses of their Class would be deeply ingrained, becoming a set of internal rules similar to a dogma.
A Primed Novice — which Kieran and the other Myths had been before stepping into their Trial — was eligible to Advance. The Advancing was a crucible that made Adepts.
Adepts were early experts in the Way of Ascension. Still, even they were seen as trivial compared to the Disciplined that have risen much higher.
From what the Flame described, Novice and Adepts were merely introductions to the Way of Ascension. The true beginning lay in the next step — becoming a Master, a Wielder of Self.
And the Masters were the ones that had been Awakened.
Not a single Aspect, but all three.
The Masters of today who wielded one Aspect correctly but called themselves Masters were clueless heretics. They lacked the knowledge to understand that they were incomplete, but no one would rectify it.
Kieran wondered why, but the Flame simply would not tell him.
'Perhaps it just doesn't know, and to avoid feeling shame, it is putting up appearances. Ah, I like that explanation. We'll run with that.'
Kieran liked that this thought painted the Flame in a vulnerable light. That way, it didn't seem impervious to triumph.
Finally, the last step the Flame defined was fortifying what you are, which turned a Master into an Archmaster. While Kieran couldn't fathom how much power those in these stages wielded, the thought left him in awe.
Surely, the Masters and Archmasters of today differed from Cardinal Weiss. They likely had greater techniques at their disposal. This was a spartan time, and grand techniques were a luxury, not a necessity. Combat was stark, streamlined, and ended in death.
After digesting all of this information, Kieran leaned on the back of his hands in silent contemplation. Numerous thoughts surged through his mind — what awaited him after becoming a Blood Fiend, what Type he would gain or what Path he would ultimately create, and… how far in the Way of Ascension he would travel.
Alone, the final destination looked bleak. He'd need help along the way, and right now, an entity that had once been a God was offering insight. Or, at least, seeds of insight.
'If there is one thing I'll take away from this experience, it'll be the novelty of each stage to prepare me for the future.'
Kieran looked at the Flame with a neutral but faintly resigned expression before nodding.
"I'm willing."
"Oh, goodie! Because as it stands… your Spirit is the only thing that can't be touched by me. That damnable Anchor is just too irritating! And I can't destroy my army. They're too valuable."
Kieran furrowed his brow. The mercurial Flame was a habitual liar.
"Did you not just try to convince me to kill them all?"
"Oh, you're right. Call it a lapse in judgment. They hold too much value to destroy now. There is strength in numbers, and their numbers will empower you. Maybe I'll let you kill them when their value has run its course."
Kieran immediately declined.
"No need."
"Aw, you're no fun. Where is all that sinister predation I felt from you before? What dark corner did it hole up in?"
"…"
No answer came from Kieran.
"Ah, you're right. I'm being silly. I'm in your Realm, permeate your body, and have roots in your mind. I can just check. Such convenience. I wouldn't trade it for anything."
Kieran arched a brow with his head acock.
"Not even freedom?"
That question gave the Flame pause, and it retorted immediately.
"Well, I'd definitely trade it for that. So, I meant to say there are a few things I'd trade this convenience for."
Kieran nodded and scoffed. He expected as much, thus, he wasn't surprised by the Flame's shamelessness.
Then, the Flame began manipulating the resentments in Kieran's mind.
Apparently, a substantial amount of meaning and power remained in those resentments. But drawing upon them created a malevolent environment teeming with infernal emotions.
As Kieran watched the Flame's actions, one word came to mind.
'Evil. It is definitely evil despite what it claims. I'd even go as far as to say it's diabolical.'
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