Book 3: Chapter 61: Taking A Chance II

Book 3: Chapter 61: Taking A Chance II

Are you certain? Aurelia questioned. I wont allow you to choose something else if you arent happy with the result.

Zeke shook his head. His mind was made up. I am certain, lady Thorsten. I pick Chance.

Aurelia smiled. I had hoped you would do that if Im being completely honest. Follow me.

Aurelia left the room, with Zeke right on her heels. After turning a few corners, he began to recognize their surroundings. This was still the town hall on the second layer. Soon, they were standing at the entrance to the same room the earlier event had taken place in. The moment they entered, Zeke had a premonition of danger.

In the very next moment, the source of that feeling revealed itself. Out of the corner of his eyes, Zeke saw a blur. He couldnt even react before it was upon him. However, just before it could make contact, his attacker was flung away.The original appearance of this chapter can be found at Ñøv€lß1n.

Aurelia had raised a single finger, pointing outward. The Thunderclaw, which had been in the middle of its attack was nowhere to be seen anymore. A wet slapping sound alerted Zeke to the fact that the beast had just crashed into the far wall. He was just in time to see it drop to the floor lifelessly.

Zappy! a shrill voice exclaimed.

Celine ran over to the limp body of her companion. However, even before she could reach it, the figure started to dissolve into motes of light. Moments later, even those winked out. Celine collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath.

With tears in her eyes, she turned toward Aurelia. W-Why? Why did you do that? she said between labored breaths. The girl was clearly in pain. Zeke wondered if that was what happened every time a Summon was killed.

Aurelia approached and gently laid a hand on the girls head. Immediately after, the pained expression on Celines face soothed.

You know why, girl, Aurelia chided softly. Your Summon attacked without permission. I know that it is a difficult task to control such a willful beast at your age, but being too lenient is a fatal flaw many Summoners have come to regret.

That was no attack, Aunty. He just wanted to play, Celine said.

Aurelias face darkened. Her black eyes bore into the girl in that same way that Zeke had experienced a couple of times himself. He did not want to be in the girls shoes right now. The Thorsten matriarch could be very frightening once she became quiet.

I-it wont happen again, Aunty. I promise.

It better not, Aurelia said, patting the girls head one more time before helping her up.

Celine glanced over at Zeke. What is he still doing here?

Despite her dismissive words, Zeke was surprised by her attitude. The look in her eyes had significantly changed from earlier. It still wasnt friendly, not by a long shot, but none of the open hostility or disdain were present anymore. Maybe Aurelia had talked to her?

A mysterious smile appeared on Aurelias face. I brought him here, she said, glancing at Zeke, to go through the ritual.

WHAT!? Zeke and Celine exclaimed at the same time.

Aunty, you cant be serious! Why would you allow this outsider to go through OUR ritual?

Aurelia shook her head. What do you mean, our ritual? It belongs to Invocatia and not to our family.

But he is still an outsider!

So what? Aurelia said. Many of our citizens have chosen to renounce our country and find employment elsewhere. There are hundreds of outsiders running around with ourMagic. One more or less wont make much of a difference.

B-but Celine stammered. She couldnt seem to find the right words to give voice to her complaints. Instead, she started pouting.

Mind, Zeke said, his eyes brimming with conviction.

Aurelia nodded in satisfaction while Celine pouted. The matriarch waved him over toward the platform the ritual had been performed earlier.

Suit yourself, Celine called after him, and Zeke thought this would be the end of it. However, she added one more thing. And dont be too picky

What did she mean by that? Wasnt it better to be picky? When Zeke caught up with Aurelia, he couldnt help but ask her about it.

That was solid advice, Aurelia explained. For each Summon you reject, your chances of getting something equally strong again will be worse.

What? Why? Zeke asked in shock. He had planned to wait for something that would fit him perfectly.

Each Summon you come in contact with leaves a mark on you. The more of them you reject, the less attractive you become in their eyes. I wouldnt worry too much though. This is not an exact science.

Zeke sighed. He had been lucky that Celine had mentioned this, otherwise, he would have been guaranteed to end up without a Summon. He eyed the woman in front of him with a hint of suspicion. Anything else I need to know?

Aurelia thought about it for a moment and then shook her head. No, thats about it. Once I give you the signal, state your demands and wait for spirits to approach you. Im sure youll figure out the rest on your own.

Zeke nodded and entered the ring that had already started glowing. He sat down in the center, just as he had seen Celine do earlier. He closed his eyes and tried to think of the Summon he wanted. Something that could help him gather information? Something like Alberts Truthseeker maybe? It was hard to make any choice without knowing what was possible

Get ready, Aurelia called.

Zeke's eyes snapped open. How long had he been in thought? His jaw dropped as he observed the ceiling that had once again changed into a portal. The world he could see on the other side was very different from what he had seen earlier. Instead of a mass of roiling clouds, he looked out into a dark void. The only source of light was a network of glowing blue gateways that were all interlinked with each other. The sight was very familiar to Zeke, but he couldnt quite pinpoint from where he knew it.

Do it now, Aurelia reminded him.

After a moment of thought, he made his proclamation. His only point of reference was what Celine had said during her ritual, so Zeke mirrored her approach. I am Ezekiel von Hohenheim! And what I seek is knowledge, the knowledge to solve all the world's mysteries. If you believe yourself worthy, approach now.

Zeke remained standing, his arms outstretched. However, for the longest time, nothing happened. Was this normal? Or Had he done something wrong? Was there something else he needed to say or do? A quick glance at Aurelia's calm expression reassured him somewhat. But why was nothing happening?

Just when he was about to speak up, a pressure descended upon him. Zeke looked up, and found a giant, floating shape hovering in place above him. For a moment, nothing else happened, but then he heard it. There was a distinctly inhumane-sounding voice in the back of his mind. It sounded like many people speaking at once.

We greet you, Ezekiel von Hohenheim, the voice said. My name is Xyloquzanthrex, the Mnemosyne Devourer. I would like to offer you a contract.

Of course, telepathy! Why hadnt he expected a Mind Summon to be able to use telepathy? Zeke used the same channel to respond. I greet you as well, Xylo quzan. threx, the Mnemosyne Devourer, he grimaced at his failed attempt to pronounce the name, but continued as if nothing had happened. What can you offer, and what do you want in return?

My species possesses a hunger for knowledge, the same as you, we believe, it explained. It is our purpose to seek out the most profound minds, siphoning the wealth of their memories and experiences. We do not simply consume them, but rather, we assimilate and preserve their essence, adding to the universal consciousness. In doing so, we bear witness to the grand narratives of existence and become a living repository of all that has been and all that is yet to come. We offer you free access to any knowledge you help us collect.

Wasnt this very similar to what he had done to the spy? From what the being had described, it was from a species that ate Souls in order to absorb their experiences. Zeke remembered that ordeal, it had been a wretched affair that made him feel like a monster. He had absolutely no interest in unleashing this thing upon the world.

I refuse the contract, Zeke said right away. He didnt even need to listen to the Devourers terms. This was not something he was interested in.

Very well, Ezekiel von Hohenheim. We wish you good fortune. With those words, the being disappeared, leaving a restless Zeke behind.

What had he gotten himself into?