I watched in fascination as the Saint's Essence was torn apart by the Genesis Seed's roots.
There was sothing darkly satisfying about witnessing its destruction.
The irony wasn't lost on .
The very sa vision it had shown , of the red sun being torn apart by world trees, was now happening to it.
"Poetic justice," I thought, though I wasn't sure if justice was the right word.
Maybe karma? Couppance?
Whatever it was, there was a symtry to it that I couldn't ignore.
Currently, Azure and I were disembodied consciousness observing the intruder. I didn't want to risk the parasite seeing my true appearance, not when it might potentially relay that information back to whatever greater consciousness controlled it.
It was bad enough that it had discovered my dual-sun cultivation, marking as a heretic in the eyes of both Orders. If it sohow learned I was a world walker as well... I shuddered at the thought. My position was precarious enough without adding that particular complication.
The last fragnts of the Saint's Essence were now being absorbed by the Genesis Seed's roots. The brilliant blue light faded, drawn inward, leaving nothing behind but a faint azure shimr along the root patterns.
"Do you think it managed to send anything back?" I asked Azure. "Before we destroyed it?"
Azure's presence moved closer. "Extrely unlikely," he replied. "There was no opportunity for transmission."
"What makes you so sure?" I pressed, unable to shake the worry completely.
"Look at the Genesis Seed," Azure directed my attention to the massive tree at the center of my inner world. "Its roots run throughout this entire space. The mont the Saint's Essence entered, it was effectively quarantined."
I studied the countless roots spreading outward from the central trunk, forming an intricate network that penetrated every corner of my inner world.
"The Seed creates a type of formation," Azure continued, "one that blocks these types of connections. It's similar to how the blood statue of Ke Jun is separated from the real thing. A barrier that prevents the transmission of consciousness or information."
"Yeah, let's hope you're right," I replied, "or our problems will only get worse." I paused, considering what we'd witnessed. "It seems this Saint's Essence was supposed to infiltrate the Saint and rge with their Cerulean Vein. That would give it control of their cultivation."
Azure's presence pulsed in agreent. "And once rged, it would establish restrictions to control the Saint if they ever rebelled against the blue sun's will."
"I can't believe people actually kill for this title. If only they knew the terrible truth."
And there was truth in that statent. Generations of Lightweavers had sched, fought, and died for the honor of becoming the Saint, never realizing they were competing for the privilege of becoming glorified puppets.
"At least with the Genesis Seed destroying that parasite, I won't need to worry about being possessed or controlled anyti soon."
Still, I was curious about the effects of absorbing such a concentrated fragnt of blue sun energy. I focused my attention on the Genesis Seed, examining it for any changes following its unusual al.
The massive tree stood as imposing as ever at the center of my inner world, but there was a subtle difference. Its leaves seed a bit more vibrant, the bark a shade darker and more textured. The roots that had so violently lashed out earlier had returned to their normal positions, though they appeared slightly thicker than before.
However, other than looking more lively than usual, there didn't seem to be any fundantal change.
"I'll monitor the Genesis Seed closely,” Azure assured . “The absorption of the Saint's Essence may yet trigger unexpected developnts."
Before I could reply, the miniature blue sun slowly erged from beneath the canopy, still keeping a wary distance from where the intruder had been destroyed. It looked almost traumatized, if a sun could express such an emotion.
I decided to materialize in my spiritual form, approaching the frightened celestial body. It retreated slightly as I drew near, but then allowed to reach out and pat it gently.
"It's alright," I reassured it. "That thing is gone now. It can't hurt you."
From the canopy below, the red sun pulsed with what could only be described as laughter, clearly amused by its counterpart's distress.
"Stop being a bully," I chastised it, though without much conviction.
The dynamics between these miniature celestial bodies had always been beyond my full understanding. They existed both as sources of power and as entities with their own rudintary consciousness. Their relationship reminded of quarrelso siblings, constantly at odds yet fundantally connected.
"Ti to see what's happening outside," I said to Azure. "I don't even know how long I've been unconscious."
"Be careful, Master," Azure cautioned. "If the elders suspect anything unusual about your... transition... they might be watching you closely."
"I know. I'll play the part of the confused village boy promoted beyond his station.”
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With that, I withdrew from my inner world, letting my consciousness flow back into my physical body.
***
I opened my eyes to find myself lying in an unfamiliar bed. The ceiling above was crafted from the sa blue crystal that seed to form most of the Cerulean Apex.
My body felt unusually heavy, as if my bones had been replaced with lead. I took a mont to assess my condition. everything seed to be functioning normally, though there was a strange residual ache behind my eyes, likely an aftereffect of the ceremony.
With considerable effort, I pushed myself into a sitting position and looked around. The chamber was elegant but austere, a bed, a small table, a chair, and little else.
"Where exactly am I?" I murmured, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed.
"Still in the Cerulean Apex," Azure answered. "They've placed you in the Saint's personal quarters. This is your new ho, apparently."
Great. A gilded cage, just what I needed.
I noticed a folded piece of paper on the bedside table. Picking it up, I began reading.
Most Honored Saint Tomas,
Your reaction to the transfer ceremony, while concerning, is not without precedent. It is not unusual for newly ascended Saints to require a few days to recover from the process. Your response appears more intense than most, but this is likely due to your exceptionally high resonance with the Blue Sun.
I smiled wryly at this. If only he knew the real reason for my "intense response."
Please take all the ti you need to rest and acclimate to your new connection. There is no better place to recover than here in the Cerulean Apex, bathed in the direct light of the First Light itself. No healer could provide better care than what the Blue Sun freely offers its chosen vessel.
The Elders Council awaits your recovery with great anticipation. There are many matters requiring the Saint's attention and guidance. However, all of this can wait until you are fully restored.
Rest well. Commune with the Blue Sun. Allow its wisdom to fill you.
With reverence,Elder Sorrin
"Commune with the Blue Sun," I muttered. "Not exactly what I had in mind for my recovery period."
I set the letter aside and stood up, pleased to discover that while my body felt strange, I wasn't actually weak. Whatever had happened during the ceremony hadn't caused any lasting physical damage.
Looking around, I noticed that the chamber had a small adjoining room that turned out to be a bathing area with a pool fed by a natural spring. The water glowed faintly blue, likely infused with the sa energy that perated everything in this place.
After washing and dressing in the clean blue robes that had been provided, I felt ready to face whatever ca next.
I approached the heavy crystal door that presumably led out of my chambers. For a mont, I hesitated, hand resting on the handle.
Once I stepped outside, I would officially begin my role as the Saint. There would be expectations, responsibilities, scrutiny. And beneath it all, the knowledge that I was an impostor in more ways than one.
With a deep breath, I pulled open the door and stepped out into a wide corridor. The passage curved gently, following the circular design of the Apex. More windows lined the outer wall, filling the space with the now-familiar blue light.
I noticed movent on a staircase at the far end of the corridor.
A young man in the simple blue robes of a servant was perched on one of the steps, casually eating what appeared to be a stead bun. He was so absorbed in his al that he didn't imdiately notice .
I cleared my throat gently.
The servant's head snapped up, eyes widening to the size of saucers. He tried to stand, bow, and hide his food all at once, resulting in him nearly choking on his half-chewed bun.
"Most—" he coughed violently, thumping his chest, "Most Honored Saint! Forgive !"
I moved quickly to his side, concerned he might actually choke to death. "It's fine. Please, breathe."
The servant finally managed to swallow, his face a bright shade of red that had nothing to do with sun energy. He dropped into a deep bow, pressing his forehead almost to the floor.
"This humble servant begs forgiveness for his disgraceful behavior! I didn't...I wasn't expecting...they said you might sleep for days more!"
I raised a hand to calm him down. "How long was I asleep.”
The servant straightened, though he kept his eyes downcast respectfully. He was young, perhaps sixteen or seventeen, with the lanky build of soone who had grown too quickly for his coordination to catch up. His blue robes were simpler than mine but still well-made, marking him as a dedicated servant of the Apex rather than a common worker.
"A day, Most Honored Saint," he replied promptly.
Only a day. That was less than I'd expected. From the letter, it seed the elders had expected to be out for longer.
"And what's your na?" I asked, trying to put the nervous young man at ease.
He looked startled by the question, as if saints didn't normally bother learning servants' nas. "Kon, Most Honored Saint. Novice Kon."
"Novice? You're a student as well as a servant?"
Kon nodded rapidly. "Yes, Most Honored Saint. I'm in my third year at the academy. Service in the Apex is considered a great honor and educational opportunity for novices.”
That made sense. Having students attend to the Saint would give them exposure to the highest concentration of blue sun energy, improving their skills through proximity alone.
"Well, Novice Kon, I'm glad you were here when I woke up," I smiled. "I'm still learning my way around."
The young man seed to relax slightly, though he remained deferential. "If you require guidance, Most Honored Saint, I would be honored to assist."
"Thank you. And please, you can just call Tomas."
Kon looked absolutely horrified at the suggestion. "I couldn't possibly... that would be..." He took a deep breath. "The protocols are very specific about how to address the Saint, Most Honored Saint."
I suppressed a sigh. Clearly, breaking down the formal barriers would be harder than I thought.
"Very well, Novice Kon. For now, I'd appreciate knowing what happens next. Elder Sorrin ntioned arrangents for my formal introduction?"
Kon nodded eagerly, apparently grateful to be back on familiar protocol ground. "Yes, Most Honored Saint. There is to be a ceremony in the Grand Pavilion three days after you regain consciousness, where you will be presented to the entire Order. Until then, you are to rest and acclimate to your new position."
He hesitated, then added in a lower voice, "Though there has been so... disagreent among the elders about your instruction."
That caught my attention. "Disagreent? What kind of disagreent?"
Kon glanced around nervously, as if worried about being overheard, though we were clearly alone in the corridor. "It's not my place to speak of such matters, Most Honored Saint, but..." He lowered his voice further. "There was a rather tense eting. Voices were raised. I heard it even ca to blows between so of the elders."
"Blows?" I couldn't hide my surprise. "What were they fighting about?"
"About who would serve as your master, Most Honored Saint," Kon explained. "Apparently, a prophecy recited by Saint Icarus’ has sparked controversy, dividing the elders on who should take responsibility for your education."
That made sense. Being chosen as the so-called Last Saint's teacher would be a significant elevation in status, even for an elder. It would an having the ear of the most spiritually significant figure in the entire Order in the ‘new age’.
"So, who won this... disagreent?" I asked.
Kon shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting around as his face flushed with embarrassnt. He tugged at his collar nervously.
"I...I shouldn't have said even this much, Most Honored Saint. Please forgive my loose tongue." He bowed deeply, almost folding himself in half. "The details of elder deliberations are... well, I could be severely punished for speaking of them."
When he straightened, his expression had transford to one of proper formality, though anxiety still lingered in his eyes.
"What I can tell you is that they've finally reached a decision." He squared his shoulders, reclaiming so of his composure. "It is ti for you to et your master, Most Honored Saint. I'm to escort you to them imdiately."
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