Safa and the others had explained a lot about their experiences with the Rylon religion, and what they had been through. The hard and the easy parts of the story.
They detailed the rituals they had observed, the links to magic, and the strange powers that the followers gained from drinking a mysterious liquid that gave them abilities resembling magic.
If Raze was honest with himself, he felt somewhat guilty for sending them away, making them venture into more danger then he realised.
Yet, Safa had kept some things to herself, wanting to speak privately with Raze about her concerns.
"Do you know what it is, or what it does?" Safa asked again, noticing that Raze had gone silent and appeared lost in thought.
"I have an idea," Raze replied. "But about the name you mentioned earlierā¦ are you sure it was Gizin?"
Safa nodded.
"The Rylon religion seems to be performing rituals on specific individuals, drawing power from the Divine realm. They harvested strange energy, and then I saw this symbol, a circle with intricate designs. They said it was all for Gizināapparently, their sun god."
Raze lifted his hand and placed it over his face, his fingers spreading apart to reveal an unnerving smile underneath.
"From what youāve described, it sounds like him. Gizin. One of the Grand Magus. I assume he adopted the title āsun godā because of his immense affinity with Fire and Light magic."
Razeās eyes darkened slightly. "Heās a master at combining spells, Iāll give him that. Heās always ahead of the curve when it comes to pharmaceuticalsāgood or badāin the mage world."
Safa had heard enough about the Grand Magus. She knew that they were Razeās ultimate goal. Although she hadnāt seen things as the others had, and Raze had kept certain details to himself during the meeting, this topic wasnāt something he wanted to resurface.
"The markā¦ I only saw it recently, but if Iām right, it allows energy to be transported elsewhere. My guess is directly to Gizin." Read new chapters at empire
Raze had an inkling of what the symbol meant, thanks to the astral projection technique he had learned from the founder. It allowed him to use his own mana to exist in Alterian, a different realm.
He had always wondered how the Grand Magus kept gaining power, growing stronger. As he delved deeper into his discoveries, he realized there were more connections to Pagna and Alterian than he had imagined.
Alter and the Rylon Religion... How long have they existed in Pagna? How long has the Grand Magus been manipulating this world for his own gain? I guess stopping them in Pagna might mean breaking off a limb from the Grand Magus as well...
Lost in thought, Raze noticed Safa staring glumly at the sea, the piece of paper loosely held in her hand.
"It wasnāt the answer you were hoping for?" he asked. "Did you think it would somehow connect to your brother?"
Safa turned her gaze to Raze for a few moments. Usually, she had become accustomed to the feeling of someone else occupying her brotherās body, but now, thinking about him caused a deeper pain than she was ready to confront.
"I donāt know if what the Rylon religion said about your brother is true or not," Raze replied, his voice soft. "At the end of the day, your brother isnāt here to defend himself. But trust me when I say this, some might even call me the āking of misunderstandings.ā On Alterian, I did things that I thought were right."
He paused, his expression serious. "Sometimes, I thought everyone could clearly see what was bad, yet in the end, I was always the one made out to be the villain."
"The things following me around now, and whatās inside me, it all points to one truth. But Iām sure it was the same for me, so you can never really know the full story."
Razeās words were meant to comfort, but he wasnāt sure if it was having the effect he hoped.
"What Iām trying to say isā¦ remember all the good memories," Raze continued. "When I entered your brotherās body, he was fighting for his life. I canāt know what he was thinking, but I believe he regretted his actions. And I know, for sure, that he cared about you more than anything."
Safaās eyes softened, and without realizing it, a small smile crept onto her face. She had gotten the answer she needed.
Was there any reason to continue searching for the truth? Even if she found more information, whoās to say it would be the truth?
With that, she made her decision: the mystery of her brother would remain unsolved, but she would remember him as the kind, loving brother he had been. Now, she would focus on the future and help Raze with his troubles.
"Ah, Raze, thereās one more thing I should tell you," Safa said, a bright smile spreading across her face. "That thing attached to youā¦ I can see it much clearer now."
"I guess itās like you said: people are afraid of the unknown. But now, I can see her, and I have to admit, sheās quite beautiful."
Safa used her god eyes, and no longer did it seem like a heavy energy was looming over Razeās shoulder. Instead, a pale-skinned woman stood there, naked, with her hands covered in blood and long black hair.
Her face was flawless, with perfect skin, and her wide, round eyes radiated with an unsettling yet strange beauty.
"That girlā¦" The voice of the bloody woman entered Razeās mind. "She can see me now. It appears she has the energy of a Divine warrior."
The womanās eerie laughter echoed in Razeās head. "Who knowsā¦ she might be even stronger than you now."
"Land ahead!" The captain shouted.
With the ship nearing land, Raze walked over and placed a hand on Safaās shoulder.
"Stay strong, Safa, with everything you guys have been through, I know you guys arenāt weak, and with the situation Iām in, I canāt do things on my own." Raze said, his tone resolute. "Iāve made up my mind. Weāre going to war with Alter."
*****
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