Treatise Of A Failed Knight-Chapter 277: Terror!

Ciel and I leave the Vey’lithar Sanctuary and head deep into the mountains.

Our journey lasts three entire days.

The reason is clear.

"Although I imagine this precaution will mean much when faced with the methods of these higher entities, I would prefer for them not to be aware of our Sanctuary."

This is what she told me.

I agree.

In all honesty, it wouldn’t be very difficult for a Leviathan—a high rank Seeker—to find the Sanctuary if they were really looking.

If Ciel is right and her Existence becomes vulnerable during this period, then they could easily discover her position and mine. Just from that Clue alone, and the fact that they can monitor her from the shadows, it wouldn’t be hard to trace her back to the Sanctuary.

As frightening as this possibility is, I can only keep quiet about it.

There’s no doubt Ciel already knows this.

Yet why is she taking the risk?

Why has she chosen to help me despite the potential dangers it may pose on herself and her people?

Throughout our three days of travel, I could not ask her this question.

"We’ll do it here."

Ciel leads me to an underground expanse, a cavernous space filled with luminous stones and gem-like walls.

The place is quiet—empty.

Sacred.

Within this cavern is a clear lake, shining resplendently due to the sapphires embedded in the seabed.

There are fireflies dancing all around the fringe of the lake.

And at the center... is a small patch of land.

An island.

A place where only one person can occupy.

"I’ll be staying there when it begins." She remarks, noticing the direction of my gaze. "For now, let’s prepare all the ingredients for the Ritual."

"Alright."

We didn’t travel all the way here emptyhanded.

Ciel brought all the ingredients we would need for the Higher Divination.

The Potions, Special Resources, and Armaments—all of them sacrifices to anchor Ciel to the thing which she wishes to Divine.

The Potion which she will consume is meant to expand her sea of consciousness. This will allow even her—a Rank 1 Leviathan—to perceive things shown to her by these higher beings.

"We will place all the ingredients around the lake, following the order that I tell you. After I consume the Potion, I will be in a delirious state, so I’ll only do so when I reach the center." She explains everything methodically.

Her instructions are clear and precise.

Her commands absolute.

"We cannot get even the slightest thing wrong." She emphasizes repeatedly.

"What happens if we do?"

"My Existence will be exposed to these entities and the overwhelming might of their observance. Without the appropriate protection, I could end up losing my sanity or even dying."

"W-what? It’s that risky, even for a Leviathan?"

"Especially for a Leviathan." She sighs.

"Unlike Diviners, who are merely sensitive to Aego and do not have a direct connection to Aego, Leviathans like me possess attachments to the Ago through our Existence. This means just as it is easier to affect the world through these threads, the world can easily affect me as well."

"A-ahh..."

"This means that while Leviathans do not have a lot of control or access to regular gumans who use Divination, their influence will be stronger on me. This means I can gain more from Higher Divination, but it also means I can lose a lot more."

High risk, high returns.

It is a gamble!

"But... Why are you taking such a risk? Have you done something like this before?"

Ciel shakes her head.

"It’s part of our Sanctuary’s oral traditions. I was brought here by the former Leviathan, my teacher. She taught me everything and also informed me of the consequences. It’s a last resort that should only be resorted to if all alternatives are exhausted."

"So... why?"

Although it harms my cause, I find myself asking Ciel this question.

Why is she going this far to help me?

I don’t understand.

When she helped me with Apotheosis, I could see the logic behind her actions.

She didn’t lose anything by giving me that advice, and although she would be at a disadvantage if I became a Rank 2 Leviathan, arguments could be made for her benefits.

But this matter is completely different.

I see no reason why she would want to help me. The subject matter doesn’t even concern the Vey’lithars.

And the risks?

They are astronomical!

’But... why do I care so much that she is taking such a risk for me? Should I not be happy that she is going this far for my benefit?’ I ask myself.

What is this irrational concern I possess for her wellbeing?

Could this be... what she also feels?

"Don’t think too deeply about it. I’m simply doing this because I want to."

Ciel shrugs as we continue the preparations.

After a few hours, it is complete.

The Higher Divination Ritual is ready!

"It’s time..."

Ciel leaves my side and heads towards the island at the center of the lake.

As her feet touch the surface of the lake, there is no ripple or sign of distortion. She walks atop the water as though it were dry land.

Her reflection shimmers beautifully in the clear waters. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Her serene march captivates me.

Then—

"The final step."

—She drinks the Potion and tosses the empty vial into the water.

Once it touches the surface of the like, sizzling sounds whisper forth and the vial melts within moments.

Then, the staggering Ciel falls to her knees.

She begins to shudder.

The Special Resources around the lake start to resonate with one another, humming with great power and sheer intensity.

I watch as the Armaments glow brilliantly, Trace Elements rapidly firing from their shimmering bodies like fireworks.

The dancing fireflies around buzz with excitement.

Everything becomes loud and bright.

Magnificent!

Beautiful beyond description!

Then... silence.

The world around us is plunged into complete darkness in an instant.

All the Special resources begin to vanish one after the other. The Armaments start to melt rapidly, and everything in my line of sight starts to disintegrate.

I recognize this!

Ciel told me before we started:

"These ritualistic preparations are not simply to anchor me but to protect my existence. Once they are gone, I will be left completely vulnerable to the machinations of the higher powers."

That means one thing!

These materials are the only thing standing between her and the Leviathans.

If they disappear, she is finished.

Complete exposure in the best case scenario; madness or death in the worst case.

’No... Come on!’

The materials continue to dissipate, vanishing at an even quicker pace than before. Ciel never told me how quickly they were supposed to vanish, or if they were supposed to disappear at all.

This is incredibly worrisome.

It only takes a few seconds before all the resources vanish.

The sea around her remains still.

She continues to tremble.

Shouts echo from her at this point, and I watch as she screams in what I can only describe as sheer agony.

"Ciel!" I scream.

Her body begins to rise into the air.

It ascends like a floating balloon, showing no signs of stopping.

"Ciel, come back!"

I scream desperately, but she can’t hear me.

My words are rendered moot.

Her body starts to glow with iridescent light, humming and warbling with a mysterious ancient anthem which I cannot comprehend.

I am tempted to charge at her.

In fact, I try.

But the moment my feet touches the waters, it sizzles and burns my skin.

"Gahh!"

Memories of the emptied vial enter my mind, and I quickly realize what will befall me should I try to touch the water.

"What of Frontflow? I can hurry towards her with speed before the waters can have their effect... right?"

No, that might not work.

Once I come into contact with the water, the pain will travel through my neural pathways. My being sixty times faster only means I will suffer pain earlier and at greater intensity.

Or could it be that having an Hour instead to process the same pain others experience in a minute gives me a better experience?

I cannot say!

But does it even matter?

Ciel’s life is in danger and I have to help her!

But... What can I really do?

Even if I manage to reach her, how can I wake her from her trance?

Could my interference worsen her situation?

I have no idea!

This is puzzling... vexing, too.

I can only watch.

For now.

********

Whispers.

There are far too many whispers in her ears.

They try to seduce her.

They tug at her senses, begging for her to listen to only a few words.

These sensations are too overwhelming.

The temptations are everywhere.

They are constant.

Murmurs overlapped in her mind, telling her to take a peek into the mind of the unknown.

To stare into the deep abyss.

But the dangers are not lost to Ciel, even now.

If you stare long enough into the abyss... the abyss looks back at you.

Thus, Ciel remains within her circle.

She cannot wander outside.

The moment she leaves the territory bestowed upon her by the protective ritual, the further she will drift into the void of the unknown.

The sea of multiple consciousnesses.

The domain of the watchers.

The Seekers of the Forbidden Territory!

To draw their attention without precaution is synonymous with death.

Who dares to test their malevolence?

Ciel remains still.

She waits for a patron to arrive.

Then—

FSHUUUUU!!

The circle which she stands in begins to shrink.

’W-what?! The ritual—!’

Did something happen to it?

Who interfered?!

Is it a flaw in the preparation, or could it be that something happened after she began her Divination?

Did Javier... do something?!

’No!’ Ciel shudders, watching as the circle becomes even smaller. ’It can’t be him. This... this can’t be happening!’

It shrinks faster now.

Her fear begins to pile up.

She knows what happens once her protective domain is gone.

Her Existence will be at the complete mercy of the lurkers of the dark, and they will overrun her consciousness with their senseless murmurs.

Death... Insanity... perhaps a worse fate.

They advance closer to her.

Too powerless to stop it, Ciel watches as the final blot of light vanishes from beneath her feet.

Darkness rushes closer towards her, closing in on the tiny flicker that is her existence.

Then... something mysterious happens.

A fog.

Thick, and completely silent.

The mist covers her, hides her from the intruding darkness, and transports her into what appears to be a separate void.

A barren white space.

Blank.

Utterly empty.

Save for what appears to be a giant hand.

"T-this is—!"

Ciel feels her body turn stiff from fright.

The hand that has suddenly appeared in this vast void id as large as an entire Kingdom.

No... even larger!

The black-colored fingernails alone are capable of easily destroying the Randalorion Kingdom.

Such great might!

Where did it appear from?

Suddenly, Ciel feels a presence... an unexplainable existence.

Behind her!

The ’thing’ stands a few meters behind her.

Perhaps it is due to her Existential Resonance or the fact that she is a Seeker, but she can tell that this presence has such a proximity.

But that is the limit of her knowledge.

Every intinct of her body tells her—warns her.

’DO NOT LOOK BACK!’

Whatever stands behind her is too frightening to look upon.

Should she try to perceive such a being, her outcome is certain.

Sheer Insanity!

An instant collapse of her existence!

She dares not undertake such a deadly voyage, knowing the risks and the cost, which is her very life.

She knew the risks before attempting Higher Divination. But to look back now...

... That would be throwing her life away.

For some reason, even the enormous hand feels more pleasant to witness than whatever stands behind her.

"You wish to know the answers to Javier’s query, do you not?" A feminine voice suddenly manifests, causing Ciel’s very existence to shake at the core.

"Look ahead..."

Instinctively, Ciel casts her gaze forward, and the giant hand starts to interact with something invisible to her eyes.

It appears to be distorted ripples in space.

Perhaps Layers of Existence which she cannot yet percieve or comprehend.

Then, frames begin to appear.

They reveal scenes of the present... tellings of the past... and happenings of the future.

"N-no... This is—!"

Ciel nearly shrieks at the absurdity of what she witnesses.

It is too much for her to see.

"I will displace these scenes in your consciousness. You will forget some things for now, and when the time arrives, they will surface. It’s why I had to draw you out of that circle, since it would have been cumbersome otherwise."

Ciel’s eyes widen in understanding.

This land of fog... it belongs to whatevrr entity she is currently speaking to.

It is their own domain!

A seemingly endless white space.

Compared to Ciel’s tiny white circle, this place resembles an entire world!

’T-they brought me to their domain, giving them full access to my Existence. They can tamper with my memories and deal with me as they see fit!’

Ciel is fully aware that at this present moment, she is at the mercy of this mysterious figure.

There is no escape.

So this is the true danger of Higher Divination.

How naive!

She was too naive!

Ciel thought she could protect herself by setting up such a ritual, yet this entity easily ripped her out of it.

"No need to be frightened." The voice echoes with mild amusement. "I gave your people the ritual method, so it’s only proper I know how to disarm it. There aren’t many who would be able to unravel my methods easily, and even then, most can’t be bothered since they have more pressing matters. You are safe."

"I... am safe."

"Indeed. Why else would I have brought Javier your way? Having a secure channel is essential, even if it is temporary. Until that boy matures considerably, you will have to act as an intermediary."

"Boy...?"

Ciel feels a disturbance within her.

Is this entity referring to Javier?

Javier!

They orchestrated her meeting with Javier?

Were they the one who exposed Seth Clayford to the future, thus prompting Javier to find her Sanctuary, thus leading to the events that ensued?

This Seeker... just who are they?!

"I admire inquisitive minds, but it isn’t wise for the likes of you to ask questions. Simply be satisfied with the answers."

The cold response jolts Ciel awake.

She opens her eyes and finds herself on the ground, away from the island, in the arms of a groaning, injured man.

—Javier Aditi.

Most of the contents of her recent conversation has already escaped her mind.

However, she remembers a few things.

"Javier... you and I did not meet by chance."

"W-what...?"

Ciel’s sudden words stun Javier, who has been enduring the sizzling sensation on his skin even after consuming Potions.

Just when did she regain consciousness?!

"You have a patron. They brought you to me. They have guided my ancestors for centuries, with everything leading up to this interaction."

"Lady... Anastasia?"

"That’s... their name?" Ciel mumbles, almost absentmindedly. "You even know their name...?"

"Ciel, what did you see? Are you alright?"

"I’m fine..."

She slowly rises to her feet, placing a hand on her chest to feel her rushing heartbeat.

"I was shown a Temple of the Enlightened Witnesses of Truth. You will find your next clue there. I also..."

"You also what?"

For a moment, there is silence.

The pause is deafening.

Then—

"Javier, tell me the truth..." Ciel whispers as she stares at him with frightened violet eyes.

"What really are you?"