Chapter 42 Arkanum Veritas (3)
Fitran sat atop a tower made of gleaming black stone, soaring high amidst the gray clouds. The tower spiraled upward, reflecting an infinite passage of time. Its intricate carvings on each layer depicted ancient tales and forgotten secrets. The sturdy columns stood firm, defying storms and sheltering rain, embodying an architecture that embraced mysticism and eternity. Below him, the fifth sea unfolded, perpetually restless, vibrating with hues of purple and dark blue, sparkling like jewels hidden within the chest of the universe. In the distance, the waves spoke in a hoarse voice, recounting its life story to anyone willing to listen.
The place belonged to no one. The wind bore no messages, and the sun rose without any witnesses. It remained silent, allowing the wind to tear at its tattered cloak. Fitran recalled the days when he was regarded as a knight of truth, engaged in many battles for justice. However, as time passed, he came to see how the once-respected system now merely served to uphold power while disregarding humanity. The resurgence of the newly formed Arkanum Veritas threatened to reinforce power in Gaia, compelling people to live without question. Here, the call to return no longer stirred his heart; he had witnessed the bitter truth behind the illusion.
A black bird arrived, silent, and simply dropped a piece of parchment written with blood ink and wax: a copy of the echo of the laws from the newly activated Arkanum Veritas. His name was mentioned in the thirteenth line as a witness of the old era. It was clear that he once played a significant role in that narrative. However, he did not read beyond that.
He placed the document on a stone, letting the wind carry it out to sea.
"Let them replay the same game," he murmured. "I have stepped out of the game."
Once, Fitran was a knight of truth who fought for justice and goodness. Now, he did not even claim to be human. After encountering Beelzebub and losing half of his living memories, his philosophical transformation began; he had become something else—fragments of will, a current from the void that chose to walk not to win, but to erase the narrative itself. Whenever he reflected on his past victories, he was reminded of the moment he felt betrayed by the system he was supposed to defend. When difficult decisions had to be made, he saw the truth disguised as lies for the sake of greater power.
In the distance, a towering spire, its walls made of shimmering stone, reflected the faint glow of the moon. This tower, as if crafted from ancient crystal, emanated a mysterious aura that enveloped the surrounding area. Each layered stone reaching towards the sky was etched with symbols understandable only to those who had traversed the path of truth, and its softly curved edges resembled a shield, enhancing both an elegance and an unmatched strength. Yet now, those symbols felt like a prison for Fitran, a reminder of all he had left behind in pursuit of true freedom.
When the wind whispers softly, it carries the strange aroma of the Fifth Sea; the scent of salt enveloped in the unexpected fragrance of sea flowers, as if the ocean itself were recounting an ancient story buried deep. The Fifth Sea serves as the boundary between reality and dreams, its waters shimmering with colors that defy description—bright blue mingling with deep purple in a breathtaking harmony. The waves move gently, as if dancing to a rhythm only those souls connected with the wisdom deep within the ocean floor can hear. However, he knows this tranquility will not last long; the rise of Arkanum Veritas poses a real threat to Gaia's power structure, and his call to return is a plea from a past that no longer aligns with his beliefs. Meanwhile, he chooses to stand at the edge of the abyss, challenging the system he once defended.
A messenger arrived—a young woman bearing the royal seal and fear in her eyes. "Lord Fitran... Arkanum Veritas has risen again. They will demand rights over Gaia. Lady Aurianne is drafting a counter-manifesto. We... we need you back." For a brief moment, Fitran felt the vibrations of the past, where the bold call to defend the truth ignited a deep sense of fervor within him. However, the haunting shadow of Beelzebub and the loss of half his memories made him question the meaning of that struggle. The resurgence of Arkanum Veritas, a group he once fought against for justice, now shook the very foundations of Gaia's power, creating new openings for chaos and conflict.
In Fitran's mind, the tower stood tall amid the tumultuous roar of the fifth sea, reminiscent of a time when he swung his sword for truth, reaching high like hope amidst the waves of uncertainty. He recalled the moments he devoted his soul to a system that turned out to be corrupt, as decisions led him towards a deep philosophical division. The memory of realizing that the leaders he supported were utterly unworthy became a turning point in his life journey. At a height nearly unreachable by humans, the summit was adorned with luminescent moss that sparkled, as if connecting the stars in the sky to the depths of the ocean. Each stone forming the tower was a silent witness to the tales of battle, every crack and contour narrating the conflict between good and evil, mirroring the struggles within Fitran himself.
However, the roots of these problems lay within himself; the brutal actions taken against Gaia's high officials and the dismantling of the shadow government had shaken the political foundations of Gaia to its core. This chaos flowed like a fierce current in a storm, impacting every aspect of life throughout this once peaceful realm.