The Inner Odyssey

The Guildmaster's mind spun.

How?

Why?

What?

When?

All manner of questions swirled inside his head.

He instinctively straightened, his broad shoulders flaring to occupy the narrow space even further.

A solemn air now surrounded Alistair.

He stared at his son gravely, urging him to continue.

Alden nodded.

Then, slowly, carefully, he spoke.

"I'm not sure exactly how the Dark Races entered the Sanctuary, but after witnessing how the Keeper sustained the Barrier, I know there is absolutely no chance it could have come from the outside. It has to be the result of an inside job."

The Guildmaster frowned, perturbed.

He knew a ritual or medium was required for large-scale spells like the Barrier. The most common method for that was a runic circle. And runic circles had to have someone operating them - supplying them with mana.

So, if the Dark Races had any hope of destroying the Barrier, they had to disrupt the flow of magic in the spell. And with Morrigan doubtless guarding the circle - even probably infusing it with her own essence - how had they managed to take the golden barrier down?

Alistair's gaze sharpened as the gears in his mind spun faster.

A terrible realisation slowly dawned over him.

The Guildmaster froze.

The traitor…

Was someone from High Command.

Or, at the very least, someone closely affiliated with them.

That was the only logical explanation.

It would explain how the traitor could have had access to the Donjon.

And more importantly…

It explained how they could have had the opportunity to disrupt the supply of mana. Alistair didn't quite know how they had achieved that feat. But the Expert mage guessed it was pretty easy to break the Barrier once it lacked the energy to sustain itself.

He sighed, his expression turning even more grim.

The Guildmaster sent his son a heavy glance.

Alden nodded.

His son had mostly likely come to the same conclusion.

However, that begged the question…

Why had Alden revealed this to him?

Morrigan had to have known about the defector - there must be a good reason why she hadn't acted yet.

So, why did Alden bring this up?

Surely he didn't expect him to help with taking down the traitor?

As if sensing his thoughts, the white-haired young man showed a slightly sad smile.

"I want you to leave the Sanctuary with Celeste and Mom… if any trouble arises."

Alistair stood there, stunned, before a chuckle of disbelief escaped his throat.

Not at Alden, but at the situation.

The broad-shouldered man recalled how he had advised Alden with similar words a month ago. Back then, the snobbish heir of the Ember Heir had come to purchase Ignia. Now, however, there was a traitor in the Sanctuary, and the one advising him was his son.

'So much has changed…'

In such a short amount of time.

Alistair felt like things were changing much faster than he could keep up.

He could sense an undercurrent of chaos brewing not too far away on the distant horizon.

The Guildmaster's expression hardened.

It seemed, from here on out…

Things would only get worse.

He sighed.

His rigid posture deflated.

"I will consider that. Thanks, Son."

Alistair rubbed his temple.

Suddenly, he felt like he had aged a few more years.

Perhaps…

That was just the price of possessing hidden knowledge.

***

Internally, Alden's stomach churned with a mixture of different emotions.

He felt fear and anxiety at the mere thought of a traitor within the upper echelon of the Sanctuary.

He felt a little helpless.

But most of all, he felt… lonely.

He couldn't reveal all that he knew.

To anyone.

Alden was the only one in the Sanctuary - and even the world - who knew of the depths of the Asteron's schemes. Morrigan knew that she had to protect the Key. But not from where or what. As such, Alden felt more than a little bit alienated and burdened.

There was also the fact that it was difficult to break the preconceived notions everyone in the Sanctuary had about the Asterons. To them, these otherworldly beings had been - and would continue to be - a light in a terribly dark world, full of strife, conflict, and death.

They were… salvation.

In the eyes of the common populace, they were untouchable, immortal and immutable. But Alden knew that all stars would eventually fade.

He knew that the Asterons light would falter one day.

…Their greed had ensured that.

The young man sighed, shaking off his glum thoughts.

He would find a way to awaken the people in the Sanctuary - a secondary awakening, different from the ascension of power. Alden would lift the starry veil placed on them by the celestial bodies in the sky, and show the reprehensible, otherworldly beings for who they really were.
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That was his goal.

One, among many.

Alden exhaled a turbid breath.

The many burdens he held hung heavy on his shoulders.

However, as he shifted his gaze…

Alden felt the weight lessen a little.

Now that he had revealed there was a traitor, and warned Alistair of any potential danger, that particular responsibility - ensuring the safety of his loved ones - no longer afflicted him as much. Alden felt a little bad for adding more to his father's already full plate, but the older man had readily accepted that burden.

Alden's heart warmed.

He was exceptionally blessed to have such a caring father.

He didn't know what he would do without him.

Alden sent a warm smile to his father. One, that the Guildmaster promptly returned.

Then, Alistair's expression changed.

'Ah, he's realised…'

Alden internally sighed, displaying a faint smile on the outside.

"You… only mentioned me, your mother and Celeste. What about you? How could you think we could leave you behind??"

There was a certain intensity to Alistair's voice.

One, that Alden had rarely heard.

The young man's chest warmed even more.

Remaining perfectly calm - the faint smile never leaving his face -, Alden responded.

"I am Morrigan's successor. I cannot leave the Sanctuary."

His duty wouldn't allow it.

Alistair's eyes widened, experiencing his second great shock.

The Guildmaster's mouth opened repeatedly, yet no words came out.

"You're…"

"Yes."

Alden nodded, mirth evident in his tone.

"I-I see."

Hiding a grin, Alden rose from his seat and offered it to his father, who looked like he clearly needed it. The older man nodded absently as he sat, a blank expression on his face.

'It's probably better if I give him some space and time to digest it…'

Silently, Alden left the office.

He made a small stop in the kitchen. Flowing water broke the silence of the house as je quickly and efficiently washed the dishes. Then, Alden gave Ignia some more love, telling her to stay put, before he slowly ascended the stairs, his legs and heart heavy.

Alden dreaded what he was about to do. But, he knew it was necessary. And so, as he knocked on the door to Celeste's room, he steeled his heart. Alden clenched his jaw, suppressing the maelstrom of anxiety, fear and doubt raging inside his chest.

It was time for him to be upfront and honest. It was time for him to be brave.

It was time for him…

To love.

…The brightest star there was.