Chapter Five:
The miniature airship moved with the utmost haste, protesting and creaking as the cogs and gears turn. The steam engines, pushed to their maximum speed, hissed furious at Ser Drakonsarius as he piloted the craft through the skies. The sun had nearly risen. The magical properties of his armour had made themselves known after he had bundled himself into his airship and had been snatched up by the sandman and transported to his domain. Drakonsarius had been disturbed from his rest by the light to find the dull ache of the would in his side had vanished, along with the narrow point of entry in the plate. The young knight realised that the resplendent armour of the Celestial Cavaliers - the legendary elite Knights of the Order - were reputed to have self-healing qualities, along with the same slight glow he saw now.
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Ser Drakonsarius's face had taken on the form of a stony mask of determination and quiet rage after reading the next journal entry.
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Journal Entry - The Warper:
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In the unwinding tapestry of the Council's machinations, the revelations about the Warper may strike at the very core of your allegiance. It is with great sadness that I impart that the tendrils of the Covenant extend even into Cerulea.
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The Warper, a figure of the mystical and mysterious, is a Seer within the esteemed Council of Celestial Seers that governs the Theocratic Confederacy of Cerulea. A literal false prophet, he projects an aura of piety and calm, concealing the depths of his involvement in the Covenant's sinister plans. Regrettably, his public face remains elusive. Sage Dias of the Circle of Veilstones and Seer Drajir of the Council of Celestial Seers are the safest bet in figuring out his public face safely.
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Caution must be your steadfast companion, for the Warper possesses abilities that transcend the boundaries of reality itself. Approach him with vigilance, and be mindful of the concealed dangers that accompany such an adversary.
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The burden of unveiling the Warper's true identity rests upon your shoulders alone.
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The Ninth
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The entry had struck a blow that shattered his confidence in Cerulea's security, it was the home of the Order, after all, and if the Covenant could extend its reach there, none of the worlds regions were safe. Hence why the airship cleaved through the skies as fast as it could.
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The mesmerising landscape of the theocratic region looked ever more appealing, illuminated by the light of the rising sun. The Capital City, Ecclesia, was filled with meticulously sculpted temples, spires, markets, and magical institutions. In the distance, loomed the mountain range that the spire containing the Dragon's Citadel hides.
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The Dragoon lands his airship and begins to head to the addresses contained on the back of the journal entry that shocked him so.
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Sage Dias, like all the other Sages, had established his sanctum within the Veilstones Tower, a structure that stands tall, a testament to the deep knowledge and ancient wisdom harboured within its hallowed halls. Ser Drakonsarius had made his way up to the section housing Sage Dias, armour clinking all the way, until he arrived there.
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Drakonsarius found himself in a room that exudes an aura of calmness, adorned with delicate depictions of intricate magical symbols, each one pulsating with a soft, ethereal glow. Tall bookshelves line the walls, housing ancient tomes and scrolls that seem to resonate with magical energy. The air carries a faint scent of incense, adding to the mystique of the surroundings. In the centre of the chamber stands a circular dais upon which Sage Deus stood, contemplative as one might expect. The floor is inscribed with radiant runes, emanating a gentle luminescence that casts a warm glow across the room. The ceiling, a masterpiece of celestial artwork, constellations connected together with golden thread in a web of the divine.
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Sage Deus, a figure draped in robes covered in symbols, the garb of a sage in the Circle of Veilstones. As the knight approached, he looked up, his eyes looked bright and curious to the nth degree. "Salutations, noble Ser, the winds of fate bring thou to the Tower of the Veilstones, what dost thou strive to know?"
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Ser Drakonsarius, curious about the inner workings of the Council of Celestial Seers, inquires, "Sage Deus, what can thou share about the Council of Celestial Seers?
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Sage Deus leans forward, his eyes filled with knowledge, and begins to unravel the mysteries of the Council of Celestial Seers. "The Council of Celestial Seers is comprised of spiritually gifted individuals who forge a direct connection with celestial forces. These Seers play a pivotal role in guiding the path of Cerulea through their interpretations of celestial guidance. There are twenty-one seers in total, with five representing each of the four member subregions of the Theocratic Confederacy of Cerulea. The twenty-first Seer serves as the tiebreaker, a stranger among them."
"As for the subregions," Sage Deus continues, "each holds its own significance. All four of them - Centuria, Ruminia, Leventia and Aur - formed the confederacy after the Celestial Ascendance five hundred years ago."
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"The Seers decisions influence every facet of our society, seeking celestial guidance to maintain harmony and balance within the Confederacy," he concludes, leaving Drakonsarius with a deeper understanding of the Seers.
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"When confronting shadows, young Dragoon, remember that shadows are born from the interplay of light and darkness. Seek not to banish them with harsh certainty, but rather understand the delicate dance between the luminous and the obscure." With these words, Sage Deus leaves Drakonsarius with a thoughtful gaze before retreating back onto his dais to thoughtfully contemplate some great and profound mystery, no doubt.
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With such a high bar as the one that the Sage had raised, one might be forgiven for harbouring the belief that the Seer would fail in an effort to meet it, but meet it, he did indeed.
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The abode of Seer Drajir was humble and homely, like its occupant, at least on the surface. However, Seer Drajir was a name that the Dragoon knew well, for it belonged to a staunch supporter of the Order, a name spoken only in admiration in the stony halls of the Citadel he held in such high regards. Drajir, being a friend, was a claim that no member of the order would dare dispute.
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The man presented a gentle and kindly temperament to the untrained eye, but it was as if he was carved from flint under the surface. Drakonsarius entered into the sitting room. The Seer sat in a chair, gazing into the roaring flames in the fireplace, with an expression of looking right through them, perhaps in search of answers.
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Seer Drajir, turning his gaze from the mesmerising flames, acknowledges Drakonsarius's presence with a nod. "The Warper's true identity eludes me, but I hast learned much from whispers in the hallowed halls. An hour from now, a debate among the Council of Celestial Seers will unfold. Attend this gathering, for in the currents of celestial discourse, truths may be revealed. We shall attempt to narrow down the suspects and unveil the face of the one who distorts reality within our sacred walls."
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Ser Drakonsarius, a mix of curiosity and determination etched on his face, responds, "Seer Drajir, thy insights are invaluable. If attending this Council debate is the path to revelation, then attend it, I shall. But, Seer, how might I assist in this delicate unravelling of truths?"
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The Seer, with a mysterious glint in his eye, replies, "Ser, thy presence alone is of significance. As an observer, you may spot clues as to who the Warper may be, as a third party, thou hast had nay contact with whoever he hides as, so thou will bring nay bias in his favour to thy conclusion."
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