NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 85: The Twelve Zodiacs
CG Chapter 85: The Twelve Zodiacs
“What is your end goal from all of this? I know what I would gain from going to the core. But what about you? What benefit do you get from helping me?”
The shaman smiled at Tom, and even though her eyes were blind, it felt as if she were looking directly at him and through his soul.
"If you don’t mind the company of an old lady like myself, then I would like to tell you a little story about this world and the beauty that they raped."
Without hesitation, Tom replied, “Please, take your time.”
The shaman’s eyes now seemed to look past him, as if she was gazing into a time long gone.
"In a time long before the seven kingdoms rose, before the seven churches spread their false faith, and before knights ever donned their armor, there existed a power, more ancient, primal, and deeply in tune with the world’s true essence. This was the power of the shamans, a gift from the heavens that allowed people to live in harmony with spirits.
Yet, as with all things, this harmony did not last for long.
On a cursed night, blacker than any before or since, where not a single star dared to shine, the gaze of the Heavenly will fell not. Seven of the twelve guardians, once protectors of the realm, betrayed the world, throwing all into turmoil.
These seven, who once carried the power of the supreme totems, turned their blades against the very beings who had nurtured them: the falcon spirit of the sun, the deer of the forests, the ever-wise owl, the salmon sea ruler, the golden beaver, the raven born of storms, and the craft master, the otter.
These traitors, now known as the seven royal bloodlines, accepted the blood of the enemy, forsaking their roots to serve false gods, they are but abominations who claimed their gods as the progenitors of their bloodlines."
When the shaman finished her story, she began to breathe heavily.
The simple retelling of what happened was far too painful for her.
“So, do you want me to kill the seven kings for you? Also, from what I can tell, you seem to care about this world too much to lead me to the core with your own hands,” Tom asked, doubtful of the shaman's true intentions.
"I know what you want--it's the same thing those cursed gods wanted years ago, but it doesn't matter anymore, does it?"
As soon as she said this, the room fell into complete silence.
The shaman's words, and her storytelling, made him feel that something was off about her. There was also the fact that she knew too much about what happened thousands of years ago.
"Who are you exactly? You seem to know far too much for a person who wasn’t there."
The shaman smiled a sad, knowing smile.
"Does it really matter to you? And I think you already guessed it, didn't you?"
The shaman asked but didn't wait for Tom to answer because the first question wasn't directed at him but toward herself.
You could call it self-questioning or a last moment of silence at the loss of everything.
"I am sure you've seen too many worlds to care--most of them probably look the same to you. But to me, this world is my everything, and I have been living in pain since the zodiacs turned their backs on us.
Every couple of years, the same words, 'From the depths of Eldgwood, curse Eldervale.' They curse the Heavenly Will with every ceremony.
Believe me when I say that if I knew of any other way, I would do anything to save this world. But now it has gone too far into darkness to be saved. There is no redemption for us, and I would rather watch the world turn to dust than let them take any more of it. I would even rather that you, a stranger, take the core energy before leaving. At least that would be something that I do with my own free will."
Assessing the shaman’s words, and if everything she said was true, Tom realized he wouldn't lose anything by working with her. In fact, he would be the biggest beneficiary out of all this.
On the other hand, the risk was far too great. If the shaman decided to go back on her word at any moment, he would lose everything he had worked for until now. Flameheart and Alamut would turn into nothing after enduring the chase of the seven kingdoms.
At this moment, Tom’s simple reply made the shaman feel an incredible amount of happiness.
"I agree."
What a joke--if he didn't go for the free meal in front of him, then he wouldn't be Tom. As for the fate of Flameheart and Alamut, they could burn for all he cared.
His sole purpose in raising them in the first place was to use them, not the other way around. So if by throwing them away he could achieve his goal, he wouldn't hesitate for even a second before sacrificing them.
"Good, good, good."
When the shaman heard Tom's answer, she let out a weird cackle that would chill anyone who heard it to the bone, but Tom didn’t care as he asked.
"When will we go to the center? I am sure you would want to end this as soon as possible."
"Don't be too hasty, my dear new friend. We need to do something before we move."
Tom’s eyebrows furrowed. "And what might that be?"
"The center of each world differs from the other. As for Eldervale, let’s say it is special. When you enter there, the seven gods will have the ability to use a high percentage of their power. You can think of it as the channel that connects and forwards the faith and energy they gather from this world to their own. So, if you enter without preparations..."
Tom didn’t wait for the shaman to complete the sentence.
"I would be asking for my own death."
"Exactly. I have a single chance to help you once you enter the core, but even with my help, you would still be outmatched. Your best solution would be to weaken their influence in Eldervale. As for how you would do that, I will leave it to your imagination."
The shaman didn’t need to tell Tom how to weaken the authority of the gods in Eldervale. It was all too obvious to him that he would need to destroy the majority of the church forces and direct the faith away from them.
Tom thought internally, ‘It seems that the power of Flameheart would come in handy after all.’