The grim sight of the Lifeless Pass left a deep impression on Kieran.
It served as a clear reminder that even the greatest could fall one day. If Cardinal Weiss had only been a soldier during the Great Bloodshed, then many more like or stronger than him must have fallen.
That was likely a crippling event where many powerhouses were lost. But that was to be expected. Today's order was not built upon rickety shoulders but rather on the firm and compressed backs of the dead.
Every power that existed in the modern day had participated in their fair share of wars in some form.
Whether it was through directing its economy through supplies, soldiers, and information or being a direct participant. That was also why the War Deity Temple had become the prominent force it was.
Most of that power and influence was gained through the act of war — by abiding by the principles of their deity.
'Who is that, though? Who… or what is the symbol of the War Deity Temple's faith?'
As Kieran gazed upon the Lifeless Pass, he wondered how strong the Endless of War could be. They were at least Eni's — the Endless of Knowledge — equal.
However, if that were true…
'Why does the War Deity's Temple lack a mantle? Or am I missing something here?'
To hold a Mantle was a sign of prominence, but it was also a grave burden. They might have declined being bound by duty. The Oath was a cumbersome affair. Or, perhaps there was another reason.
Like… the True Berserker Lineage rightfully belonging to the War Deity Temple, but they chose to feign a lack of attachment. Scar and Agrianos were usually affiliated with the power.
'No… no, I don't think so. Something is missing. Something like a link.'
To find that answer, Kieran needed to know which came first. Was it the birth of the True Berserker… or the War Deity Temple?
However, the odds of that answer existing on Xenith were reasonably slim. The Endless did not step foot into Xenith. Why? Kieran didn't not know. But their traces upon this world were faint. His encounter with Eni and the Hecate stemmed from the Wykin's deep ties to their primogenitors.
'Luckily, I don't need to delve beyond. I only need to delve deeper. I am a successor chosen by Endless of Knowledge. If I uncover more, maybe I can learn the truth without help.'
After that thought, Kieran shifted his attention elsewhere. He looked to his right, where the stoic Cardinal Weiss sat. His eyes were closed, and he sat in a meditative state where his chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm.
There was something strange about the way he was breathing, though. The world seemed to respond with howling winds or rumbling rock. Like it was attempting to dissuade him from something.
No, like it was pleading for his mercy.
Kieran couldn't feel any Mana, which was understandable given the Land of Ruins' treacherous fate.
The entirety of the Land of Ruin was a Mana Desert, meaning it was devoid of Mana, and the world itself did not provide it here. Whatever Mana you held inside your body was the amount you had to work with unless you possessed Mana potions and elixirs, which were blessed products in these lands.
Sitting around, Kieran grew quite bored and started itching for combat or anything to stimulate him. But the Cardinal of War and Flame's earlier strike had been a frightening deterrent for whatever cadaverous beasts may roam these lands.
There were probably remnants of his Significance and the crimson flames still permeating the area.
With that, Kieran had no choice but to wait or find entertainment with the Flame. But he was against that last idea because it was more talkative and insane than ever now that he sat near an area steeped in death.
"Can you feel it?! It is quite amazing — the remnants of Death. And then there's Ruin… two lovers drawn together by fate. My loyal servant, Death — one of the only little ones to ever earn my love. I wouldn't have minded treating Death as my child."
The Flame sighed in Kieran's mind, and he tried to ignore it.
Luckily, Cardinal Weiss opened his eyes at that moment, regaining remnants of a harsh zeal.
Before, Kieran had labeled him insipid besides his raging fanaticism, but now, his opinion had changed. There was more to Weiss than what met the eye. He had a story, and perhaps beneath that zeal magnified by the Flame, there was an alacrity for something else.
"Boy, if you are to become the Great Firebearer and the Order's next Unspoken, there are some things you must know. Most of which have to do with these very lands."
Hearing these words, Kieran's eyes ignited with passion and enthusiasm. He had been interested in learning more about the Great Bloodshed all along.
"You must have thought something along the lines of… who did those great warriors fight against to have ended in so much death?"
Cardinal Weiss spared Kieran a look. Deep with those aged eyes, there was something somber buried there.
Kieran promptly answered with a nod.
And Cardinal Weiss, smiled thinly, continuing.
"It was no who… but what. You must first understand why the Land of Ruins gained its name to understand what I'm about to tell you. It is the site of an ancient battle, long before we were even thought of."
As he listened, Kieran noticed the Flame had grown unusually quiet and could feel it attempting to send a resonant message, not to him… but to Cardinal Weiss.
The Flame… was likely trying to stop the Cardinal of War and Flame from cluing the boy to information he need not know. Which meant it was undoubtedly linked to the Flame's grand scheme.
However, Cardinal Weiss did something Kieran thought he'd never do — disobeyed the Flame by offering his own opinion. Perhaps wielding his Significance had offered him hints of his former clarity back.
"Great Flame, you need not be fearful. You are revered, honored, and feared… thus, fear should not be worn by you. You need only wield it. That said, nameless boy… we fought against many things, but they shared one thing in common. They were creatures born from the darkness."
Kieran's eyebrows shot up.
Creatures born from the dark? That sounded awfully like the Chasm of Apogeton and what hid in its abyssal depths.
"Those creatures did not fear death like they were guided by a primal instinct to destroy and corrupt. And they poured into the Land of Ruins from infirmities in the Boundary's Curtain. Soon, the infirmities lead to tears, and that's when they came in droves."
Now absorbed into the storytelling, Kieran nodded in a lull.
"We fought valiantly, but the Land of Ruins rarely sees glory or support. Only once the aftermath of the battle spread far beyond did they step in to help."
Kieran's eyes asked the question that his mouth couldn't.
"Who, you might ask? The answer is simple — the Followers of War from the Lands of Promise. They ripped through the ruin like a tide of unrelenting carnage, and I watched it with my own disbelieving, moribund eyes. You see… we Archmasters don't die quickly, which allowed me to hate… to despise. At death's door, I was greeted by a hallowed presence… our Great One. Glory be to the Flame… for it saved me — us."
'Archmasters…'
A level beyond the Masters, but outside that, it had very little meaning to Kieran. At least they seemed to be beings of great vitality, which allowed Kieran's trivial insight to a step in Ascension.
Then, Cardinal Weiss stood and dusted himself off.
"Come along, boy. You have heard the tale of the Great Bloodshed. It is time we return. Maybe sometime later, I'll give you a full retelling. Though… a need for that may never come. Our Savior, the Great Flame, has great plans for you."
Just like that… the fervent fanaticism returned to the Cardinal's gaze. No, it had probably rebounded a time ago and warped the Great Bloodshed's true history.
'At least I know something more. If it's the Lands of Promise… then I know of only one place, and they were in my thoughts earlier.'
