The Inner Odyssey

No one dared to move.

The Grand Elder's mere presence stifled the place.

Celeste felt her hair stand on end, her body warning her that if she stepped even an inch out of line, she would regret it. The silence stretched for a few moments, thick and uncomfortable, before the Grand Elder withdrew his aura.

Collectively, everyone released a breath they had been holding.

Tension dissipated from the viewing chamber.

The sensation of the air turning sharp had disappeared, as well.

"Oh dear, forgive me. Where are my manners? What a terrible host I am."

Celeste intuitively understood that this was the Grand Elder's way of apologising for his Territory's hospitality. She saw him send Zaruk a reproachful look, before his expression returned to one of amiableness, eager to put what just happened behind everyone.

What was interesting to Celeste, was the fact that even with so many Masters present, Grand Elder Orion could still silence a room with just his presence. It seemed that even between Masters, individuals of great might and renown, there existed wide gulfs. She would have to reach that rank to understand why that was, though.

The young woman resolved herself to ignore House Aerithale for the rest of Tournament and beyond. They no longer existed in her mind - it was impossible for such reprehensible people to draw breath. She would not give them the privilege of acknowledging their existence.

Her Senior Sisters beside her stewed quietly, but each of them knew they couldn't defy the Grand Elder of the Zephyr Clan. In addition, they felt their master's Mana Sense surrounding them, a silent warning not to cause another commotion.

Apparently, Saint Helena, otherwise known as the Eternal Hand and the best healer in the entire Sanctuary, went way back with the Grand Elder. She had a good relationship with the man, trading her services and those of her Disciples in return for rare medicinal herbs. It made sense she did not want to risk that.

Although, Celeste did not sense any irritation or displeasure from her master, just a desire to protect her disciples from incurring the important figure's wrath. Celeste was glad that Saint Helena was not an overbearing master. She cared about her disciples like they were her daughters.

At the same time, she also wasn't lenient, understanding that for them to live up to their potential, she had to push them. The young woman quietly thanked the Asterons for having such an understanding mentor.

She would have been devastated if Saint Helena had reprimanded them for sticking up for themselves - and by extension, the rest of the women in the Sanctuary.

Just when Celeste thought the matter was over, a cold voice stopped everyone in their tracks.

"Apologise."

Celeste snapped her neck towards Alden, finding that his neutral mask had been replaced by an intense, frigid coldness she had only ever seen once before - in the battle against the Expert Dark Elf, where both of their lives had been on the line.

She wanted to tell her former love that there was no need to press the issue, but she knew that in Alden's current state, he would not listen.

…To anybody.

Zaruk displayed a stunned expression.

"You must be out of your mind, boy."

He scoffed.

"I won't repeat myself a third time. Apologise."

Alden's tone turned even colder, mirroring a glacial blizzard.

Just before Zaruk could respond with a scathing remark, Grand Elder Orion tried to smooth things over.

"Young Prince, there's no need to escalate things further. You have my word that House Aerithale will be punished appropriately for their behaviour today."

At the same time, the Knight standing behind Alden took a step to the side, unsheathing his sword an inch.

Instantly, a new wave of tension flooded the viewing chamber.

Celeste bit her lip.

Alden continued to stare at Zaruk.

She saw him incline his chin subtly - the only indication that he had acknowledged the Grand Elder's words. Contrary to everyone's expectations, however, the Keeper's Apprentice did not back down.

"I appreciate that, Grand Elder. However, Zaruk–" Eyebrows rose all around at the casual manner with which Alden referred to the Aerithale Master. "--has slighted one of my family. Unless he apologises, I will not let this matter go."

The white-haired young man's tone had softened slightly, becoming less cold. Doubtless, a sign that the Keeper's Apprentice did not wish to offend the Grand Elder and the Zephyr Clan.

With his hands tied, the venerable Master could do nothing but acquiesce to the will of the Keeper's successor. Probably a sign of good will, and to distance the Zephyr Clan from the Aerithale's, she thought.

Celeste saw Zaruk pale, the sight of him stiffening bringing a sense of overwhelming catharsis and a flood of emotion she could not even begin to process. Nellie rubbed her arm in a silent display of reassurance.

Celeste used every ounce of willpower she had not to break down.

The cunning merchant gritted his teeth.

His frame trembled - as if apologising went against his very nature.

'Most likely it does.'

Eventually, Zaruk forced out:

"…I'm sorry."

A stunned silence fell on the room, everyone struggling to believe what they had just seen. A Master was forced to not only apologise, but also do so publicly in front of their peers, and competition.

Every Master present was prideful - who wouldn't be?

They had climbed up the Ranks, achieving a strength that placed them just below the Keeper and the Four Transcendents. If the upper echelons of High Command were the foundation, then they were the pillars which held the Sanctuary together.

An individual like that had been compelled to admit their wrongdoing.

By a young man, years his juniour, no less!

The very notion was preposterous to Zaruk's peers.

...Satisfied, Alden turned around, as if Zaruk no longer existed.

As the next two Guilds stepped out onto the arena, Celeste could hear several hushed conversations occurring between members of various delegations.

All of them had one thing in common:

…They were not happy with Alden.

"Arrogant brat."

"Who does he think he is?"

Celeste gritted her teeth.