I couldn’t help but feel like a complete failure during the days following the Ceremony. I simply failed to understand why the Gods had chosen me to lead Ysle. Or is it that, during the few months I’ve been carrying on my duties, They witnessed my shortcomings as ruler and decided that I was undeserving of Their Favor after all?

Wraith didn’t make things any easier for me by downplaying the situation, saying that come next week everything would be back to normal. But he’s a foreigner and an unbeliever; in this City consecrated to the Gods on the day of its very founding, anything even remotely connected to Them is taken very seriously. The Ceremony is meant to symbolize the Gods' blessings upon the City and its Princess. Its failure had let Ysleans speculate about their future, and my role in it.

“Morning!” Wraith saluted me as I approached the balcony to have breakfast. He seemed to be in a fine mood overall.

“Good morning…” I replied calmly as I took my seat.

“Would you just look at this!” he said in a mockingly cheerful tone. “The sun’s shining as ever. The sky’s still blue, birds are chirping happily on the tree’s branches. A perfectly normal Yslean morning, if you ask me!”

His dry remarks weren’t helping me at all!

“It’s not what you can see which worries me,” I said. “If a single leaf falls off a tree in a way unlike the rest, it’s a cause for concern to most Ysleans. The Gods speak to us through the small details, so imagine what my people are making of the Sacred Fire not igniting!”

“They’re free to believe whatever the fuck they want!” Wraith shrugged. “The more important question is: are you gonna be bothered by it forever?”

I shrugged as well. I turned my attention to the food, but I didn’t have much appetite, so I just ate a few pieces of fruit and some bread and drank a sip of coffee. Wraith was right about the morning being beautiful, though; as I looked out in the distance for answers to my mind’s questions, my handmaidens approached and bowed, announcing that the usual daily agenda had been canceled; the Four Heads had requested an emergency meeting to discuss the failed Ceremony.

“Is that even a reason for a meeting here?” Wraith asked nonchalantly. “I mean, are we going to ask the Gods to clarify their meaning or what?”

I shook my head, not bothering to answer. At least some were trying to find the answers that so far eluded me.

The meeting hall next to the Chamber of Audiences felt larger and darker that morning. The Four Heads were already present. The Compact Emissaries were there as well, which I didn't quite expect. I assumed that, since the failed Ceremony is something that could potentially affect the stability of a Compact member, then it was a matter they should at least observe and report to the Triumvirs back at Yeonbrooke.

As Wraith and I entered everyone got up off their chairs and bowed. Once I took my seat did everyone else sit back down. I immediately noticed that, right in the middle of the rectangular table, was the golden box containing the Soul Prism. Just having the relic in the same room made me reminisce about the altered man pointing his dagger at me.

The meeting started with a brief report on the current situation within Ysle. So far things were relatively calm, but as news of the failed Ceremony spread uncertainty among the populace started to grow. More people than usual had started to flock to Ysle’s other Temples – the Grand Temple remaining closed to the public – to pray and to seek answers of their own to this portent of the Gods.

“As a matter of precaution, I’ve instructed the rest of my Order to keep a close watch on all Temples and marketplaces. At times like this, it’s all too easy for some people to… question the Gods far too openly, as well as Their representatives,” Head Confessor Asli reported.

“I think that’s a good initiative on Sister Asli’s part.” Head Healer Nadya nodded. “We cannot let the people’s natural fears on what happened to become the first step into a path of heretical thoughts!”

“Indeed. But please, Sister, see to it that the Confessors handle the situation with a very light touch,” Head Mentoress Zafira pointed out, “lest we want to create even more fear and uncertainty.”

Mother Asli nodded. “Of course, my Sister.”

“Needless to say, remember that the Compact stands ready to assist Ysle in any way it can.” The Yeonbrookean emissary, Earl Lorrick, remarked. “Whatever affects one of our allies affects us all.” The other Emissaries nodded approvingly.

“While we do appreciate your solidarity, I don’t think the Compact must be involved in our internal affairs,” the Head Confessor replied. “Deviating valuable resources from your preparations for the next war with Anchlesia would be most unwise, is it not?”

I raised my hand to request calm.

“This isn’t the time to bring this issue to the table, Head Confessor,” I said firmly, looking at Asli in the eye. I turned my attention to the Emissaries and added, “but she does have a point; we appreciate your offer, and we’ll take on it if and when the need arises."

I motioned at the golden box over the table. "Now, on to the matter at the heart of this meeting.”

The Head Mentoress explained that before my arrival the Emissaries and the Mothers were exchanging opinions about the Ceremony, reminding us all what our Sacred Teachings said about the Soul Prism, namely that it's a Boon the first Priestesses received from the Gods; through the Soul-fire, Their Blessings would reach and protect Ysle and the officiating Princess.

“But it seems the Emissaries, His Excellency Earl Lorrick in particular, have another take on the matter.” Mother Lyra commented.

“One that puts central tenets of our faith into question, I might add.” Mother Asli quickly added.

“I too have misgivings about the implications, Sisters, but-”

Mother Zafira’s speech was interrupted by a sudden bout of dry coughing. After she regained her composure she carried on. “But this is an unprecedented occurrence; never has the Soul-fire failed to ignite. I am… willing to explore any possibility that helps us discern this omen the Gods sent us.”

“So… what’s your alternate take on this matter, Emissaries?” I asked.

“We appreciate your willingness to consider our opinion, Your Highness.” Lady Elandra thanked me. “We think there’s worth in at least considering it.”

“It’s not so much an interpretation of the message your Gods tried to convey, Your Highness,” Earl Lorrick admitted, “just an explanation of what happened. That’s why I requested having the Prism brought here."

“Man, just get to the point already!” My Champion snapped.

Naturally, his intemperate reaction upset everyone in attendance; I started cold-sweating in embarrassment.

“I wasn’t aware that your Champion was allowed to intervene in matters that are clearly above his station,” the Earl said, his brow furrowed in slight anger. “And possibly his understanding as well…”

“I speak whenever I feel like it! Is that a problem, Your Excellence?” Wraith taunted him.

“Champion!” I slammed the table with my open palms. “You’re embarrassing me with your persisting insolence!”

Wraith shrugged and stood up. “Maybe I should leave, if Her Highness agrees…” He said in a low voice.

“That would be best,” I replied dryly.

Wraith snorted but said no words as he exited the room. As soon as the doors were closed again I apologized to the Earl for Wraith’s lack of manners. My Champion’s brashness was an issue; it was bad enough that we argued a lot while in private, but his tendency to speak his mind without measuring his words was driving me insane!

“It’s all right, Your Highness.” The Earl said. “Now… back to our previous discussion…”

Earl Lorrick got up from his chair and continued:

“Now, I’m certainly no expert on the matter, but I believe that the Soul Prism isn’t a relic of supernatural origin. Based on the designs of the box and the artifact itself – at least what I could get of it while seeing it this close – I believe that the Prism might be of A’dari make.”

“It’s sacrilegious to even think such a thing!” Mother Asli reacted. “We’re only tolerating such blasphemy right now because of your position as a foreigner envoy who’s mostly unaware of our beliefs!”

“I naturally mean no disrespect, Blessed Mother,” the Earl apologized. He started to walk towards the doors while speaking, “As I said, I’m no expert, but one in my entourage might confirm my suspicions. With the Blessed Mothers and Her Highness’ permission, I'd like a Magus to examine the Prism.”

“Preposterous! Will we allow a wizard to defile our sacred relic as if it was one of his ungodly experiments?” the Head Confessor protested. “Your Highness, I don’t think this is the way to regain the Gods’ Favor!”

“The Magus won’t be allowed to touch the Prism,” Mother Zafira said. “He can observe it as much as he likes, but only the Head Fire-keeper will manipulate it. Hopefully, this will ease Sister Asli’s concerns. Do you consent, Your Highness?”

I sighed. I was partial to the Head Confessor on this. We’ve already incurred the disfavor of the Gods. Tampering with their relic might bring us further apart from Their Light.

But what if Wraith was right, and there might be another explanation to all of this?

“It will be done as the Head Mentoress has instructed. Bring the Magus forth, Earl Lorrick.” I finally said.

The doors opened once more, and the Yeonbrookean envoy beckoned someone outside to enter the chamber. I’ve never met a Magus before, as their beliefs and practices are considered heretical by the Priestesshood. So I must admit I was quite excited at the thought of meeting one for the first time.

The man trailing the Earl was middle-aged, with a thick brown beard that reached down to his chest, streaked with graying hair. His face was stern, and his green eyes shone with intelligence. He wore a blue hooded robe and held a metal staff in his left hand. The staff’s head was intricately carved with glowing runes, and a shining blue stone was set right atop it.

“This is Master Axios, my personal Magus.” Earl Lorrick introduced the man. “With your permission, he would proceed to inspect the Prism.”

“I haven’t seen it yet, and I can already feel the Arcana radiating from it,” Axios said, his voice somewhat raspy. “And the design of the box… remarkable. Can you open it?” his request was intoned more like a subtle command.

Mother Lyra proceeded to open the box and take the Prism out. The Magus approached it quite excitedly. His hands reached for it but the Head Fire-keeper yanked it away from him, reminding him that he was only allowed to observe. Axios begrudgingly acquiesced.

“Hmmm… interesting, indeed!” He mused while observing the Prism from every angle. “Very interesting!”

“So what do you think, Axios?” The Earl asked.

“The metal and the crystal... they are unmistakable,” The Magus said.

Axios cleared his throat and spoke with energy, its hoarseness almost disappearing:

“The ‘Soul Prism’, as you call it, is very special for certain. Unique. But crafted by Godly hands, I’m certain it wasn’t. I've no doubts about it, Your Excellences; we stand before an A'dari Greater Arcana Crystal. Only a few of these are known to have survived the Ruin of their creators, all of them safely stored in the Arcaneum of Evanor.”

“What are Arcana Crystals?” I asked the Magus.

“To put it in simple terms, Your Highness, they are containers designed to store Arcana,” Axios replied. “The crystal on my staff is, in fact, a Lesser Crystal, and it enhances my abilities by allowing me to draw more Arcana than I’m physically able to.”

“But the A’dari did truly remarkable things with their Crystals,” he continued. “They used them not only to fuel great feats of magic, but as power sources for constructs known as ‘Machinae’. They had legions of mechanical servants, carriages capable of moving by themselves; they even had ships capable of sailing through the air!”

“And those achievements are what brought A’dar to ruin ultimately!” Mother Asli pointed out.

“That is debatable, Priestess,” Axios retorted. “Magic isn’t good or evil; it’s just a tool that behaves according to its wielder’s designs. But I digress…”

“So what does all of this have to do with the Ceremony failing?” I asked Axios.

“Everything, Your Highness!” The Magus exclaimed. “If Crystals aren’t recharged regularly they will lose their stored Arcana and become useless. After centuries without being charged, the Prism has almost exhausted its stored power.”

“And how do you recharge them?” Mother Nadya asked.

Axios sighed. “By channeling Arcana into it, naturally. Charging Lesser Crystals is simple; I charge mine regularly. But Greater Crystals require vast amounts of raw Arcana; it would take a dozen Magi decades to fully recharge the Prism. The A’dari circumvented this by using ‘Crystal-Forges’, Machinae designed to create and recharge Greater Crystals. Unfortunately no working Forges are known to exist.”

“So the Soul-fire will never be lighted again?” I concluded.

“That’s nonsense!” Mother Asli exclaimed. “The Soul-fire isn’t ignited with profane magic, but through an ancient ritual meant to bind the Princess’ soul with the Prism, which serves as a conduit of the Gods’ power.”

“And yet the key part of the ritual was when the Princess said ‘Ignas Anima’,” Axios remarked. “I was there. That’s an incantation, in the A’dari tongue no less! All magical incantations are recited in their speech. In other words ‘profane Magic’, as the Priestess just said. A ‘Soul Fire’ spell, to be precise. And the chanting before that was delivered in A’dari as well.”

“Not only he dares to question the Divine origin of the Prism, but now says that our sacred hymns were written by the godless A’dari?” Mother Asli bellowed. “I’ve had enough of this heathen’s ramblings! Are we going to keep listening to his mockery of our Faith?”

“What if this is Their message after all?” I asked. “Maybe They’re trying to tell us something important. Something related to the A’dari. Maybe something about the Anchlesians as well?”

The Head Confessor was about to protest yet again when the chamber’s doors opened once again. It was Wraith, and he looked rather preoccupied.

“Your Highness.” He said. “Everyone. Sorry to bother you again, but a guard has come with an urgent message.”

The Guard entered next. She was breathing heavily from her rush, her brow beaded in thick drops of sweat.

“I apologize for interrupting your meeting, but something unusual has happened inside the Sacred Grotto!”

All of us still seated got up from the chairs in surprise. Another omen? Coming from the very lifeblood of the City no less.

“What happened?” Mother Zafira asked. She started coughing again. I got close to her and patted her gently on her back.

“Well…” The guard stammered. “We found a makeshift raft floating downstream. And on top of it… was a man. We found him unconscious and in very bad condition. My companions rushed him to the Hospice while I came here to deliver the news.”

Needless to say, all of us left the meeting in a hurry to see what this was all about.