Chapter 504 Dial Tone
The translucent chains were strange — abstruse and mystifying.
They were wreathed in that same esoteric presence Significance offered, which was a given considering the chains were forged of the Anchor's Significance.
Still, unless you had the Mind of a Master, grasping its meaning was virtually impossible. Additionally, it couldn't be taught by mouth. It could only be felt through experience.
Kieran's current situation was somewhat similar but also fundamentally different. To understand, he had to feel, but he felt and could not understand.
He could feel the chains, feel what they were attached to, but he couldn't derive an answer from what he felt. He couldn't understand the gravity of the power he wielded.
It was beyond him, but it was also his sole privilege that the others weren't afforded. Luckily, that privilege wasn't limited to possessing the chains.
The Anchor indirectly provided a rudimentary understanding of what those chains represented, mainly by stimulating the bits of information he was given before entering the Trial.
'A burden and a privilege…'
Kieran carefully turned his hand, watching as the six chains were unaffected by his movement. They appeared taut, and he felt a slight pull from each chain.
'There is an Inheritor at the end of each chain.'
It didn't take much guessing to arrive at that answer. If not the Inheritors taking part in the Trial, what else could the Anchor be attached to?
This answer was also a part of indirect teaching the Anchor bestowed upon him. It shone a light on the memory of the throne room and brought awareness to the words that the voice had spoken directly into his soul.
'Apart but together. I bear the brunt of the burden, but the rest falls upon the others. And because of that, we'll be drawn together.'
In a strange trance-like state, Kieran moved his hand with rapt fascination and then flicked every chain as if playing a grand string instrument.
No response came from his impromptu action.
He began to doubt the other Inheritors understood how to manifest or influence these chains, which was understandable. He barely understood it all himself. These chains were only visible thanks to the Anchor's willing guidance.
They had always been there, just beyond the scope of Kieran's sight. Considering his eyes could see what was hidden, that alerted him to an alarming fact.
'My eyes can't see Significance alone unless it wants to be seen. Would that mean learning how to uncover Significance is the next step for these eyes?'
It was tenable food for thought since he acquired the ability as a Novice. These eyes were bound to grow alongside him.
Shortly after, Kieran shifted his attention back to the chains.
The translucent chains were uniform in shape but not in sensation. Every chain bore a unique presence, which gave Kieran insight into the recipient on the other side.
Their meeting was fated because their duty would draw them together. The Anchor showed him that, but Kieran also understood in his soul. He didn't need the Anchor's reassurance, but it was welcomed.
However, being drawn to each other wasn't the only purpose of the Anchor. That was a passive effect, but there was also an active ability that Kieran could control.
Granted, he didn't understand how well he could control it, but information on how to make prudent use of the Anchor poured into his mind in an endless, eye-opening stream.
Influenced by the stream of knowledge, Kieran moved his hand deliberately, the earlier fascination replaced by burgeoning curiosity and intent to understand.
'This one…'
Kieran picked the translucent chain tinged with darkness and carrying an unseen lethality. It bore the traits of the Hidden Myth, notorious for its unseen lethality in the dark.
Kieran paused for a moment.
As he touched the chain, his thoughts grew somber, and his mood became dark and gloomy, and the world grew devoid of color, seeming muted and bleak. Kieran imagined this is what being inside the Lightless Shroud must be like, but he couldn't tell.
Altair had never explained the specifics of his abilities. Those secrets had always remained close to him.
As Kieran looked at the world in these muted tones, he stared at the Hidden Chain. It had disappeared from his sight, but touch told him the chain was within his grasp.
'The Call of the Anchor.'
That was the name of the Anchor's active ability and Kieran's privilege as the Anchor's Bearer. It was an ironic and somewhat vexing ability, though… considering his vocal situation. He could call upon the others to influence their movements but couldn't speak with them.
However, unlike the name implied, it was more than just a beckon. It was a bizarre transference where the intentions of his pulling desire were transmitted, but in return, Kieran opened himself up to the invasion of the Chain's burden.
It was strange more than it was disturbing.
What Kieran thought would be a disconcerting experience was… uniquely fascinating, which was likely the precepts of Truthseeking settling into his mind and guiding how he viewed foreign encounters.
Kieran pulled on the chain, finding that it was horrifyingly taut.
More than that, putting too much strength into the pull made the Anchor in his mind groan, which meant there was a limit to how much he could influence the other Inheritors.
'I should have guessed there would be something like this in place. The organizer of this Trial had to account for having a saboteur as an Anchor.'
However, all Kieran really wanted was for his friend to find him soon. That's why he chose the Hidden Chain first out of the six. Kieran soon let go, though. He could not know how his pull would affect Altair if it traumatized the Anchor, and he didn't want to inconvenience his friend.
Releasing the Hidden Chain, Kieran closed his eyes and extended his spread hand. Every finger aligned with a Chain, and Kieran was trying to match the feeling of them to the names in his mind.
There was the Colossal Chain that seemed sturdier than the rest, which Kieran ignored after fighting an internal war. Part of him wished to sabotage Daedric in the finest, most infuriating way, but he knew it wasn't ideal for any of them.
'Another time… when the stakes aren't so high and mysterious.'
Then, there was the Natural Chain, which Kieran immediately ignored. He didn't appreciate how the former owner of that chain treated Scar. And Scar had a unique place in his heart. It wouldn't be wrong to say that he had become like a father figure.
The Inheritor attached to it also didn't seem too helpful here.
Kieran needed an Inheritor to improve, broaden, and delineate the Call of the Anchor. Only one came to mind — the Sacred Inheritor on the other end of the Sacred Chain.
A stark contrast occurred when he grasped the chain. Holding the Grasping the Sacred Chain was unlike grabbing the Hidden Chain. The world grew bright and vivacious as if peering through the eyes of a lively spirit. Even the miasma atop the Wailing Sierra seemed less eerie in this new perspective.
More importantly, Kieran could hear a clear voice in his mind.
"…Hello? Is someone there? Something… there? I know there's at least something there because my head feels full, and I hear evil thoughts."
Kieran's jaw slackened as his eyes shimmered with delight. Composing himself, Kieran talked.
"It's Aa…"
The link was immediately shattered by something inexorable and beyond the Inheritors' control, but the strange thing was the chains remained in his grasp.
Something changed after that.
There was persistent droning noise, like an endless tone in Kieran's mind.
'What is this? A dial tone? Did this bitch just hang up on me?'
The sudden severance filled Kieran with hostile vitriol, enraging him. After having just tasted delight, something awry had to occur. To relieve his anger, he stomped the Wailing Sierra like a frantic fool attempting to extinguish a roaring flame.
And that… that led to more chaos.
Cardinal Weiss gazed at the mountain beneath their feet with glinting and grim eyes.
"Oh, Condemned Fiend… what have you done? Draw your blade… and prepare to fight. They're going to come. You… you have disturbed the resting Bloodwights."
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