—

Despite Hekaina sitting there with a relaxed expression and her eyes closed, Kieran felt overwhelmed by her mere presence. It felt as if she was part of this entire space.

‘What level of mystic mastery is required for one’s presence to feel everywhere and nowhere at once?’ Kieran wondered.

Though inactive and motionless, Hekaina exuded an air of elegance and allure that far surpassed Agatha, making her feel like an otherworldly existence. She was clothed in a dress fabricated from several overlapping mystical veils.

Atop her neatly braided and twisted cerulean hair was a jeweled tiara with a few crystalline embellishments hanging across her forehead.

〈System: You have entered the personal dwellings of the «Head Mystic Enchantress»: «Chasmic Mystum Abode»!〉

Once she opened her eyes, it was like a universe bloomed within, seeking to unravel the world’s many mysteries. If one gazed too deeply into Hekaina’s eyes, they would undoubtedly become lost.

“Esteemed Master Hekaina,” Agatha greeted respectfully, performing a servile curtsy.

Kieran was unsure how to greet Hekaina, so he simply looked around the Chasmic Mystic Abode, taking in the marvelous sight around him.

“My young girl, have you been well?” Hekaina spoke, her tone coming across as warm yet detached. It was difficult to tell where her mind was since her gaze seemed to sit between realities.

“I have been well, master. But… I’ve failed to locate what you asked of me.”

“If it were so easily sought, I wouldn’t have sent you on your journey. The answer and revelation will come with time—don’t force it. Once it shows itself, it will mark the beginning of a turbulent period,” Hekaina answered.

“That human besides you, he is related to Scar and Agrianos, is he not?”

“Correct,” Agatha admitted.

“And he entered this place alone?”

“Correct,” Agatha admitted again.

Before the eyes of her master, lying was impossible. As mentioned before, everything related to the Wykins flowed through the eyes of Hekaina.

“Is this the same human that you mentioned before? The one that triggered the attention of a High Fairy?”

“Correct, again. Areadna brought it to my attention, so I manifested a mystical avatar and ended up exchanging places with it to confirm her suspicions. It was true. His spirit is quite unfathomable.”

“Yes, you are not wrong about that. The young boy is unfathomable,” Hekaina muttered, slowly standing from her chair.

Her every movement exuded an elegance that resonated with the abode’s atmosphere. “Young boy, why have you come here? The true reason? Not the one related to Isadora.”

“This,” Kieran responded, presenting his two items. One was the unknown stone he barely knew anything about, and the other was the Shard of Ancient Knowledge, which only someone of Hekaina’s presence could know.

After looking at the items in Kieran’s hand, Hekaina flipped her wrist and gently moved her fingers, creating a mystical platform that brought the two things closer.

She inspected the two items closely before lifting her gaze to Kieran. “I could tell you the identity of both of these items. But what would you supply in exchange?”

“Uh… In exchange…” Kieran grew quiet, considering the answer. What could he offer to Hekaina, who seemingly possessed everything she desired?

Freedom? Such an ancient and unfettered presence couldn’t possibly be tied down.

Wealth? Did she even desire wealth in this world?

Kieran wracked his mind to find a suitable answer. Eventually, Kieran could only voice the truth. “I don’t know.”

“At least you understand the certainty of uncertainty. As you are now, there is nothing you can give me,” Hekaina answered indifferently.

The feeling of being disregarded impacted Kieran violently, but he didn’t react. It was simply the truth. Compared to the world’s leading powers, Kieran was an ant.

He was alive now simply because Hekaina found worth in his presence.

Unlike the other Wykins, Hekaina understood the importance of impartiality, and she wasn’t driven or influenced by the past.

Because of her discerning abilities and delving into mysterious places, Hekaina understood that everyone should be given a chance and a choice to prove their authenticity.

In Kieran’s case, she found his existence to be appealing. After a brief silence, she looked at Agatha and began to tell a story.

“Many years ago, I found this young girl and realized that she was much more than what met the eye. She was born as one of you all, but she was one of us at her core.”

“Tell me, young man, do you believe in reincarnation or rebirth?” Hekaina questioned.

The mention of rebirth made Kieran hyperventilate and gasp. He had many questions regarding this topic but no one to share them with. As soon as Hekaina mentioned this matter, it was like a dam broke in Kieran’s mind.

“I believe in it wholeheartedly. I don’t understand what warrants or how it even exists, but I do believe it to be true. Esteemed Enchantress, are you… informed in the matters of rebirth?”

“Me? I am not. But the one I am connected to is. In fact, I believe we must speak with them regarding the decision of your worth,” Hekaina responded, her expression becoming cryptic.

Not even Agatha was aware of such a connection. What did it mean?

“Master? What are we talking about here? Could this young man possess an ancient Mystic Soul as I assumed?” Agatha questioned, momentarily glancing at Illiad a few steps away.

“An ancient Mystic Soul? No,” Hekaina shook her head. “My discerning eyes cannot begin to distinguish the nature of his fate, destiny, past, or future. It is beyond my set of eyes, meaning it isn’t connected to a Wykin. I merely see the threads of perpetuity linking fragments of his soul.”

“Then… did you ask this question because you have grown curious?” Agatha asked.

“Correct. The threads of perpetuity mean that his soul is one touched by principles above the firmament. For answers, we must reach beyond the firmament and call upon our ancestral connection,” Hekaina answered.

All of a sudden, her appearance underwent a change, becoming far more enigmatic and ethereal. If before she could be considered somewhat human looking, she now resembled a celestial goddess.

“Please keep your distance as I make this chant,” Hekaina directed.

A moment later, the atmosphere of the Chasmic Mystum Abode grew serene and perplexing. Hekaina performed a series of actions until the mystic energy present gathered into a large Merkaba Symbol overlapped by a Flower of Life construct.

Once this happened, Hekaina opened her arms as if embracing something and began a chant.

“Hekaina, Daughter of the Mystical Illums, Enchantress of the Servile Wykins—Manifestations of Ancient Wisdom, calls upon the Almighty Mother. Hecate, Master of the Three Fates Weaved Into One, Knower of All Things Ancient, Present, and Distant—heed the call of your willing daughter.”

From within the two overlapping sacred constructs, a strange ripple took place. A veiled figure appeared with no particular features, seemingly flickering in and out of existence.

“Young daughter of the mystic path, you have called upon Hecate. Please speak within the established limits.”

“This young boy behind me—his soul bears the threads of perpetuity. Is peering into his past possible?”

The figure’s eyes shifted to Kieran, silently examining him before formulating an answer. “No. Something beyond the Endless has touched his soul. His origins are completely unknown, as even his Soul Permanence is obscured. Your second question, my precious.”

“In the future, is this human a threat to the Wykins?”

“This boy’s presence teeters on the edge of destruction and creation. Outside presences tip the scales. He is a Harbinger, but he is not a Cemented. Last question, my dear.”

“Is this boy fit to walk the path of Ascendancy.”

“Undoubtedly. His circumstances align and meet the requirements. The path forward will become laborious, but… the young boy is built for—was born for it. My allowed presence in this realm has come to an end, so this conversation must end here. Make a prudent decision, my daughter.”

Oom!

The construct dissipated with a mystical ripple, and Hekaina’s expression paled as if she genuinely exhausted herself to call for this meeting that pierced through realms.

“I’m sure everyone present has heard the verdict of the Hecate. This human is a Harbringer, something that acts upon the circumstances at hand. In other words, he is someone that manipulates fate based on the present. There is no past or future limiting him,” Hekaina announced, turning to slowly face Agatha, Kieran, Illiad, and the Keepers of Serenity.

“So… the boy isn’t an enemy of the Wykins,” Illiad spoke.

“Correct. We have no reason to be hostile to him. In fact, his malleable soul touched by a power beyond the Endless means he is worthy….”

“Worthy of?” Illiad asked.

“He is worthy enough to become something alongside Agatha. Not an Heiress, but a respectable existence nonetheless,” Hekaina decided.

“Although the Hecate has spoken, should we hastily make this decision?”

“My young Illiad, do you know what an Endless is? It is a being that resides above the limiting firmament. As lesser beings, who are we to question their sight?” Hekaina answered, leading Illiad to reconsider her words.

“Please forgive my rude remarks. I did not mean to desecrate the Hecate,” Illiad conceded.

“More importantly, this young boy has Origin Principles buried in his soul. Young boy, what is your name?”

“Aatrox,” Kieran replied.

“Aatrox,” Hekaina smiled. “You seek an audience with the Emplenan Few. For that, are you willing to discard your humanity? Are you willing to become the true Harbinger that you ought to be? My questions are not lighthearted…”

“Your decision will mold your fate as you know it.”