Cultist of Cerebon - Litrpg/Isekai

“This feels strange to me. Am I paranoid, Rizok?” Zareth asked as he fidgeted in his seat.

“Yes. You generally are,” Rizok immediately responded from behind him, smirking traitorously at his distress before conceding that he was right. “However, your concerns may be warranted in this case. I would have expected High Command to present an after action report of the battle at Fal’Ashar to the entire Hierophant Council, rather than call you for a private meeting. I’ve always known the officers to prioritize efficiency over all else.”

Zareth let out a groan at that and slumped in his chair, trusting Rizok’s [Aura of Greater Perception] to alert him if anyone began approaching the room.

According to Rizok’s sources, it was his cult and the Desharin who were the greatest contributors to Tal’Qamar’s recent battlefield victory. Neither the ogres nor the monks had participated in any significant way, though Zareth had heard rumors that they would play a greater role in the actual siege of Fal’Ashar. Meanwhile, the Circle of Ghisara remained relatively enigmatic, and it was apparently rather difficult for Rizok’s collaborators to monitor them.

I should ask Farida if High Command requested a private meeting with the Desharin next time I see her, Zareth mused to himself before glancing at his friend. “It would’ve been nice if they could have waited until tomorrow to bring us in.”

Even if the two of them were alone in High Command’s meeting room, Zareth still knew better than to say out loud that he’d been planning to meet with Rizok’s secret collaborators right about now.

“I’m certain that any plans you have can be rescheduled, sir,” Rizok said with a faintly amused expression. “Perhaps for later this evening?”

After he had finished designing and producing the Blood Sacks, Zareth had promptly handed them over to High Command and mostly put the matter out of his mind. The exact date of the military’s attack on Fal’Ashar wasn’t something that anybody could guess given the fluidity of the battlefield, so Zareth had turned most of his attention to research.

He had more priorities than just the war, which was unlikely to be resolved in the near future.

Particularly, he had been devoting most of his efforts to learning more about Divine Essence, the Etherveil, and the secrets contained within his visions. The first two because he had still yet to choose between [Ether Attunement] and [Divine Essence Attunement] for his next Skill, and the latter because his visions had mostly stopped since he dreamt about the Conclave burning down an ancient library.

Zareth had a strange sixth-sense that he wouldn’t be receiving any further visions until he learned more about the last one. It was as if there was an… inexplicable presence attempting to guide him down a particular path and was content to wait until he was ready to continue his journey. Zareth could tell that it wasn’t Cerebon, as he’d long grown familiar with the god’s attention, so he assumed that it was just a product of [Atavistic Insight].

But regardless of where the feeling came from, it was an annoying itch in the back of his mind which Zareth would be glad to finally satisfy.

When his research failed to do so for more than a week, Rizok revealed that his collaborators, the Tessik, may be able to provide some assistance. Zareth had eagerly anticipated the chance to meet with an organization dedicated to preserving ancestral lizardkin heritage and knowledge.

They would surely have some valuable insights to share and would be much more pleasant than being called in by the local military dictatorship.

Thankfully, Rizok’s response seemed to imply that the Tessik would have no problem rescheduling to after this meeting.

“That sounds like a good idea, Rizok. I’m glad that at least some people are mindful of other people’s time,” Zareth said after breathing a sigh of relief that his plans for the day weren’t completely ruined.

“Are you still upset about Vidhatri pestering you into teaching her your knowledge on biology?” Rizok asked with a knowing expression.

If Zareth weren’t already slumped in his seat, he would have done so in exasperation at Rizok’s mention of Vidhatri. Ever since the two of them had worked together on the Blood Sack and the zealot realized that Zareth knew more than her about biology in some specific instances, especially in regards to animals, she became incessant about learning what he knew.

In Vidhatri’s words, ‘Acquiring knowledge of flesh in all its glorious forms is to show reverence to the Weaver of Sinews.’

“I don’t mind teaching people, but I just wish that she could be a little less… insistent,” said Zareth, glaring at the lizardkin when Rizok let out a soft chuckle. “It’s not as if I don’t have other things demanding my attention.”

“Well, this is your cult. You could always just tell her that you’re busy,” Rizok suggested.

“I could, but Vidhatri has a very forceful presence about her that makes it difficult to say no outright,” Zareth admitted, running a hand through his hair in frustration before a teasing smirk crossed his face. “Something that I’m sure you’re very familiar with by now.”

Unfortunately, Rizok had grown used to Zareth teasing him about this particular subject.

“Are you jealous, Zareth? I wouldn’t blame you if you were,” Rizok said, his tone challenging as he raised a single-brow ridge. “I believe most humans your age are supposed to be finding a mate, yet you spend all of your time focused on the cult. Perhaps you should take after Vidhatri and learn to have some fun.”

Zareth rolled his eyes, but couldn’t help the slight smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth. It had been a long time since anyone had teased him about being single, and he was glad that Rizok felt comfortable enough to do so. The lizardkin was pretty good company now that he wasn’t so rigid all of the time.

Just as Zareth was about to tell Rizok that his life was already complicated enough without adding romance to the mix, he noticed the lizardkin suddenly tense.

“They’re about to arrive,” said Rizok, clearly sensing someone with his [Aura of Greater Perception].

Zareth quickly straightened in his seat as Rizok took a position in the corner of the room, looking the picture of professionalism.

Not long afterwards, Garrison-Commander Tholin stepped into the room with several aides by his side. Zareth was faintly surprised that High Command had decided he would be meeting with the highest-ranking officer in Tal’Qamar, rather than a lesser envoy.

“Thank you for arriving on such short notice,” said Garrison-Commander Tholin, his tone gruff as he took a seat on the other side of the table. “If you’re prepared, then let's begin.”

Zareth had the impression that the dwarf wasn’t the kind of person to waste time on formalities, so he quickly agreed. As expected, Garrison-Commander Tholin immediately began discussing the battle near Fal’Ashar.

Zareth fought to keep his expression mild as he listened to Garrison-Commander Tholin detail the performance of his Blood Sacks and augmentation templates.

Zareth was a bit embarrassed when Tholin reported that they had some difficulty in stopping the Blood Sacks from producing the corrosive liquid after it had completed its purpose. He should have added in a kill switch to the design, so that it was usable by ordinary soldiers.

Still, the Blood Sacks had been quite successful in general.

He’d hoped that they would have a significant impact on the battlefield, but he hadn’t believed that things would go as well as they did. High Command was crediting his Blood Sacks as the primary reason why they were able to either kill or capture a large portion of Fal’Ashar’s military.

Admittedly, this could be attributed to the element of surprise that came with using a brand new weapon on the battlefield and that would lose effectiveness over time, but High Command was still very interested in receiving more Blood Sacks.

This was an opportunity, and Zareth had learned a long time ago to never let those pass him by.

“I’m glad to hear that High Command is satisfied with the performance of my cult’s contributions, Garrison-Commander Tholin,” Zareth said with what he hoped looked like a sincere smile as he addressed the unimpressed dwarf on the other side of the table. “Unfortunately, my cult can hardly afford the costs of the alchemical reagents necessary for so many Blood Sacks given the… modest size of our budget.”

“Aye. I’ve been told that your people seem to need alchemical reagents to do their work, though I don’t see why,” said Garrison-Commander Tholin, trailing off with obvious skepticism as if asking a question.

Zareth said nothing and continued to maintain his polite smile as the Garrison-Commander was given a stack of documents from his aide. According to Tal’Qamar’s laws, he wasn’t under any legal obligation to share the exact details of how his Skills functioned unless he was convicted of a crime or it was a matter of national security. Nobody, especially the members of the Great Houses, wanted the government to have too much insight into their unique capabilities.

That being the case, Zareth knew that the Garrison-Commander wouldn’t attempt to force a more specific answer.

Sure enough, Tholin merely snorted before glancing toward the documents and continuing. “According to the estimates that you’ve provided, each Blood Sack costs approximately ten silver in reagents. Is that correct?”

“It is,” Zareth immediately confirmed. Rizok had told him that General Nasrith was well-known for despising corruption, so he had provided a completely accurate estimate of the costs.

Zareth gathered his resolve to haggle over the amount of funding that High Command would provide, determined to convince the Garrison-Commander of the necessity for further resources. His experience with High Command had always been that they preferred to only provide what was strictly necessary in terms of budget.

That was why Zareth had entered the luxury pet business and allied his cult with House Vhelan in the first place.

However, his determination was almost immediately replaced by confusion when he heard Garrison-Commander Tholin’s next response.

“Very well. The Office of Resource Allocation will provide the Cult of Cerebon with funding for both the labor and materials necessary to produce Blood Sacks at 13 Silver each,” Tholin said decisively, looking up at him with a sharp gaze. “Is that acceptable?”

Zareth was momentarily taken aback. The Garrison-Commander’s first offer was actually higher than he would have settled for, generously paying three silver pieces in labor for less than ten minutes of work. That was a far better wage than any of his [Cultists] would have been able to earn on their own and would ensure that Zareth had no lack of people willing to spend their time making Blood Sacks.

“Yes, Garrison-Commander, that is more than acceptable,” Zareth replied after composing himself, deciding that he wouldn’t push his luck and bargain for a higher amount.

“Good. Then let's move on to the augmentation templates,” Garrison-Commander Tholin said with a satisfied nod as another aide approached with a set of documents, this time handing them over to Zareth. “Our [Strategists] have reviewed the performance of each template and compiled a set of observations and recommendations on how they may be improved.”

Zareth felt as if he’d suddenly returned back to his days as an intern and was being given a performance review by his supervisor. The formal and standardized approach of High Command wasn’t something that he was used to experiencing in this world and threw him a bit off balance.

Reading through the documents, it became clear to him that High Command was fairly satisfied with the Mirage Stalker, but were seeking a few changes to both the Plaguebringer and the Bulwark templates. In addition, they were submitting a formal request to produce either a new template or some other bioweapon that could hasten their siege of Fal’Ashar within the next few weeks.

High Command didn’t actually know what was feasible for him to include in the templates, so they simply informed him which parts were less than optimal and what objectives they wanted to meet in the future. From there, it would be up to Zareth’s discretion to meet those objectives and present a set of options for them to test some time in the future before finally being deployed on the battlefield.

After giving it some thought, Zareth concluded that he didn’t have a problem with any of High Command’s requests so long as he received adequate compensation. As he was about to make that clear, Zareth noticed that the document already included a proposal for funding, and it was more than generous.

In fact, it was so generous that Zareth began to feel unsettled more than he felt appreciative.

Currying the favor of High Command had always been one of Zareth’s goals, but this development had come much faster than anticipated. He’d expected General Nasrith to maintain a much more neutral position.

“Everything here seems acceptable,” Zareth said slowly as he finished reading the documents. After a moment of thought, he decided that it would be a good idea to test the waters. “Although, I have to admit that the financial support being offered is somewhat surprising to me…”

Garrison-Commander Tholin merely raised an eyebrow and replied in an even tone. “Is it? High Command always rewards those who contribute significantly to our campaigns. This is nothing out of the ordinary for a project this important, and you can expect it to continue so long as your cult furthers the interests of Tal’Qamar.”

As he studied Tholin, Zareth felt a trace of confusion.

Am I wrong? Zareth wondered as he scrutinized the Garrison-Commander’s stoic expression. Was it just a misunderstanding and High Command genuinely isn’t treating me special?

Zareth’s understanding of how things worked led him to believe that Tholin should have already revealed what High Command would be expecting in return if there was any ulterior motive. Yet they seemed to be just offering him generous funding without any explicit conditions beyond what his cult was already doing.

The rest of the meeting continued in somewhat similar fashion, with discussions surrounding logistical details and Garrison-Commander Tholin being suspiciously accommodating. By the time the meeting was drawing to a close, Zareth’s paranoia had reached new heights. When Tholin stopped him just before he was about to leave, Zareth almost cheered in relief, certain that the Garrison-Commander was finally going to reveal whatever it was that High Command wanted.

“Before you leave, there are a few documents which you might be interested in,” said Tholin, gesturing toward an aide who stepped forward, holding a sealed envelope. “I suggest that you read it thoroughly when you have a moment.”

Something in Tholin’s tone told him that Zareth should heed his words. After reassuring the Garrison-Commander that he would review it as soon as possible, Zareth accepted the envelope with a nod and left the room with Rizok following close behind.

Glancing meaningfully at Rizok, Zareth felt his friend activate [Aura of Silence] to ensure nobody could eavesdrop on them before speaking.

“I feel like that was strange, and I’m fairly confident that it wasn’t just my paranoia,” Zareth said as they began to make their way out of High Command’s headquarters.

Rizok nodded in agreement, his expression more solemn than before. “Your instincts are likely correct. Feel free to read those documents whenever you like. I’ll prevent anyone from spying while you do so.”

Zareth nodded to his friend in thanks, trusting that Rizok would be able to do as he claimed. Still, Zareth waited until they were a safe distance away and found a relatively isolated alley before carefully opening the envelope and reading the documents within. Once he was about halfway through, Zareth’s eyes widened in surprise, and he hurried to finish reading before handing the documents to Rizok so the lizardkin could do so as well.

“This… is not what I expected,” Rizok admitted, his tone distinctly confused after he finished reading the documents. “General Nasrith is notorious for being impartial in matters of politics. That he would send even a discreet warning that the Circle of Ghisara is monitoring your cult’s activities is uncharacteristic of him.”

Zareth wasn’t particularly focused on whether or not General Nasrith was acting differently than usual. He was far more interested in the actual content of the letter.

“High Command probably just wants to punish them because they were working with the Conclave,” Zareth concluded before focusing on the other, more startling revelations in the document. “More importantly, why are these bastards spying on my cult so closely? We haven’t done a single thing to them after the ritual, which was their fault in the first place.”

It honestly didn’t make much sense to him. First Kassan attempted to manipulate him into allying with House Kasava, then a family closely related to the naga was caught working with the Conclave, and now the Circle of Ghisara was even monitoring which books he bought. It was all just such an illogical risk for little gain when Zareth hadn’t done anything to antagonize them.

“I’m not certain. I know very little about the Circle of Ghisara aside from their historical alliance with House Khysar,” said Rizok, his expression thoughtful as he returned the documents to Zareth. “If you’re finished with these, then you should destroy them when you have the chance. High Command was discreet about giving them to you for good reason.”

Zareth let out a grunt of affirmation before creating an opening in his palm connected to one of his acid glands. As the documents slowly melted in his hands, Zareth considered how he should move forward given what he now knew.

His efforts to seek High Command’s favor had been somewhat successful so far, if their letter was in any indication, and his cult was in a better position than ever. He was leveling at a steady rate, and the war was moving in a favorable direction for Tal’Qamar. Honestly, for the first time since his reincarnation, Zareth felt like everything was going well for him.

Having the Circle of Ghisara threaten that by lurking ominously in the background with unclear intentions was… very frustrating.

Zareth had taken too many risks and compromised too many of the few morals he had left to leave that kind of threat unaddressed.

Feeling determined Zareth, turned his attention back to Rizok and asked him a question. “Is there anyone in the Tessik who would know more about the Circle of Ghisara?”

===========================

Rizok studied Zareth as the human’s eyes gained an edge that had become familiar to him. While he’d seen many instances of Zareth being very kind, he’d also seen moments of him being surprisingly ruthless.

Whether it be the ritual he performed against the Conclave or his general lack of hesitation when it came to doing things most would balk at, Zareth had always gained that particular look in his eyes. For a moment, Rizok wondered what Zareth had experienced to become a man who could both compassionately help the city’s poorest citizens while also gruesomely killing his enemies without remorse.

It was an interesting dichotomy, and one that Rizok intended to watch closely. While there was value in being allied to a person with the conviction to do what was necessary, Rizok valued Zareth’s compassion much more than his ruthlessness.

Whether or not the human would maintain that compassion remained to be seen.

Turning his attention back to Zareth’s question, Rizok took a moment to think it over. As he’d already told the human while reporting on the activities of the other religious groups, the Circle of Ghisara was a relatively difficult faction to monitor. However, the Tessik had a long history in Tal’Qamar and had members all throughout the city. If anyone could shed light on the Circle of Ghisara’s intentions, it would be them.

“Yes… I believe I know someone who could help,” Rizok finally said after several moments. “They’re not who I had intended to bring you to initially, but they might be our best source of information given the circumstances.”

Zareth’s eyes lit up in gratitude before quickly becoming suspicious. “You’re hesitant to bring me to meet this person. Why?”

Rizok usually appreciated Zareth’s perceptive nature, but not nearly as much when it was working against him. Still, it would probably be best to bluntly explain the situation.

“While I trust you enough to reveal myself to you, not everyone is as familiar with you as I am,” Rizok said as he met the human’s gaze. “Taking you to meet them would be a risk. One which the Tessik might not take lightly. Are you certain you’re willing to expose yourself to more scrutiny for this information?”

Rizok was glad to see Zareth considering the matter seriously, rather than rushing into it.

“If this is such a risk, why can’t I just write them a letter and have you bring it to them?” Zareth asked, his brows furrowed in confusion. “It would be more troublesome than speaking with them directly, but I don’t want to cause any problems if it can be avoided.”

Zareth’s suggestion spoke well of the human’s intentions, but Rizok still shook his head in denial. “It isn’t impossible to communicate by letter, but I believe it would be best if this was done face to face.”

When Zareth realized that Rizok wasn’t going to elaborate on that, he simply accepted it and continued speaking. “Understood. In that case, I promise to respect their boundaries and keep their secrets. The last thing I want is to alienate potential allies.”

Rizok studied the human for several moments before nodding. “Very well. Then you should switch to your lizardkin form. Nobody within range of my [Aura of Greater Perception] is watching us, so it should be safe to do so.”

Rizok revealing the existence of the Tessik to the Zareth resulted in them trusting each other much more than before, to the point where they even mutually shared information about their Skills. When he had heard the details of [Template Body], Rizok had insisted Zareth learn how to turn himself into a believable lizardkin and make that form one of his templates. There were certain places in Tal’Qamar where a human would be distinctly out of place, so it would be necessary if Zareth was ever to meet his people.

After a moment of hesitation, Zareth agreed and went through with the transformation. His human features gradually morphed, his dark skin becoming scaly and green, his mouth growing into a small snout, and a long tail grew from his lower back. It was fortunate that Onara had gifted Zareth garments capable of conforming to his shape, or the transformation would have been awkward for both of them.

Rizok always found it easier to discern the ages of lizardkin compared to humans, which made him realize just how young Zareth appeared in this form. Especially when he was wobbling awkwardly on his digitigrade feet like an unbalanced hatchling.

“Yeah, yeah, laugh as much as you want,” Zareth grumbled as he adjusted to his new form. “Maybe I’ll turn you into a human one day and watch you flounder around like an idiot.”

Rizok shuddered at the thought. To be a human, lacking a tail and completely devoid of scales sounded like an experience he could do without.

Classes had a tendency to shape those who took them, making them more tolerant of their oddities. There were times he felt that Zareth didn’t understand just how disconcerting some of his abilities could come across to others.

“I would much rather you didn’t,” Rizok said as he watched the former human. “Don’t forget to hide your third-eye. I think that would be a fairly clear indication of your identity.”

Grumbling, Zareth did as was told before returning to inspecting his new body. Zareth’s god had apparently gifted him the ability to adjust to any form with unnatural swiftness, and that was quite clearly on display now.

Despite only becoming a lizardkin once before, Zareth moved with the grace of a healthy adult, instinctually moving his tail in a way that always kept his balance. In less than a minute, Rizok determined that Zareth wouldn’t draw any unnecessary attention.

“It seems like you’re ready. Follow me,” Rizok said as he began making his way through the streets.

After he sensed Zareth follow in step behind him, Rizok quickly swept his attention over his surroundings one more time to ensure nobody was following them. There wasn’t, so he began leading the two of them to one of the residential areas near the Spicebloom Bazaar. Most of the people living in this part of the city were craftsmen of various sorts who sold their goods to the foreign [Merchants] passing through the bazaar. As a result, they were fairly well off compared to those living in the Sunrise Slums.

They were also primarily lizardkin, as the Desharin and the ogres tended to maintain their own trading caravans rather than allow foreign [Merchants] to take a portion of the revenue.

Rizok guided Zareth through a relatively innocuous street, subtly nodding toward two old men playing a game of mancala on the side of the road. They both glanced suspiciously toward Zareth, but didn’t signal to anyone as they would have if an unwelcome guest were walking into their territory.

Before long, the two of them were walking through streets filled with nothing but Rizok’s people.

Not all of them were Tessik, as something so blatant could have never been hidden from Tal’Qamar’s authorities, but there were subtle signs that the lizardkin living here were quite safe and comfortable. Some couples walked together with tails entwined, a few had painted their scales in colors that symbolized personal achievements, and groups of children played in the streets while being supervised by the community at large.

Rizok dreamed some days of seeing these streets filled with lizardkin wearing their traditional garments and playing their ancestral instruments.

At this thought, Rizok couldn’t help but glance toward Zareth, who was himself glancing at his surroundings with open curiosity.

He hoped that one day, the young cultist would be able to make that dream a reality.

“How much farther is it?” Zareth asked once he noticed Rizok looking at him.

“We’re nearly there,” Rizok reassured, his gaze searching the street ahead as they turned into a familiar street. Thankfully, it only took a moment for him to spot the person he’d been looking for. “In fact, we’ve arrived.”

Rizok nearly laughed at how quickly Zareth’s excited expression was replaced by utter confusion. After all, he had most likely been expecting something akin to a secret passageway hidden in some dark alleyway. Not a completely ordinary street, distinguished only by the unassuming old man with graying scales, who was supervising a group of lively young hatchlings.

The Tessik had learned long ago that the naga were masters of cloak and dagger subterfuge, and would eventually discover any secret rooms no matter how well hidden. The only way to succeed against them was to exploit their arrogance and audaciously hide in plain sight.

Rizok ignored Zareth’s steadily growing confusion as he approached the elderly lizardkin, who was reciting an old legend to the hatchlings.

“And Ssoryth the Brave returned from Ashar’s Deep with the lost Crystal of Aseth and used its power to protect his village from the invaders from the south. For this, the System proclaimed him worthy of becoming a [Hero].”

A round of amazed exclamations came from the gathered children as Rizok was hit by a sudden wave of nostalgia. The story of Ssoryth the Brave was one his father loved to tell, and he was loath to interrupt. However, he could tell that the story was just about finished, and they did have important things to discuss.

Rizok bowed respectfully to the elder as he approached. “Good afternoon, Carer Othrik. I was hoping you could spare a moment of your time..”

“Ah, Rizok. I wasn’t expecting you,” said Othrik, his voice kind but carrying an undertone of curiosity as he looked meaningfully toward Zareth. “And who is your companion?”

“He is why we are here. We’re hoping we could speak with you in private,” Rizok said, hoping that Othrik would understand the importance of their visit.

Fortunately, Othrik was perceptive enough that he likely suspected something the moment they approached and quickly started ushering the children away, much to their disappointment. Afterward, they were brought into Othrik’s home, which was a modest sandstone building at the end of the street.

Rizok had noticed Zareth wearing a guilty expression from the moment the children were sent away, and was unsurprised to hear the young cultist begin apologizing the moment they were no longer in public.

“I’m sorry for interrupting. If I’d known that this was an inconvenient time, then I would have rescheduled until later.”

“Oh, don’t worry yourself young man,” Othrik said as he closed the door behind them. “We lizardkin raise our children communally, with a single [Carer] watching over them. We consider it the best way to take advantage of the Skills offered by that Class.”

Rizok immediately tensed while Zareth continued to nod in understanding before suddenly catching the implication in Othrik’s words. By then, the elderly lizardkin had passed them and walked further into his home before quietly hissing out a word in the old tongue and making a few strange gestures.

Rizok was intimately acquainted with the Tessik’s preference for illusionary magic, so he wasn’t too surprised when he saw the long rows of bookcases materialize along the edges of the otherwise unremarkable room. Each of them were filled with relatively pristine scrolls and were [Scribe] created copies of much older manuscripts that were safely hidden somewhere even Rizok did not know about.

As Zareth openly gawked at the display, Othrik walked over to a wooden basin connected to a long, flexible tube and placed a few Shikaya leaves into the bowl atop. After lighting the leaves with whisper and quick gesture, Ohtrik filled the room with an aromatic scent as he inhaled deeply from the pipe before turning his attention back to his guests.

“You’ll have to forgive me. When you reach my age, some comforts become necessities,” Othrik said, exhaling a cloud of scented smoke that lingered in the air as he gestured toward a few cushioned seats arranged around a low table. “Have you ever smoked from a qalyan before, young man? I’m not certain how much of our culture Rizok has chosen to share with you.”

Rizok knew that Zareth was more adaptable than most, but he still took mercy on the human and decided to give him a moment to gather his bearings.

“I haven’t had the opportunity, honored Lore Guardian,” Rizok said as he took one of the offered seats and replaced the mouthpiece of the qalyan before taking a gentle puff. “Though I’m sure he would be interested in trying. In the time I’ve known him, Zareth has always been respectful and eager for new experiences.”

Thankfully, Zareth seemed to have pulled himself together and understood Rizok’s prompting, quietly taking a seat after a moment of hesitation. It was a good decision, as Ohtrik took his role very seriously and always reacted better to people who acted respectfully.

The smoking of Shikaya leaves with guests was once traditional among lizardkin when meeting new people as the scent was particularly pleasant to their people and was an effective way of having them relax. The practice was much less common in modern times, but the Tessik did what they could to keep it alive.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. If I may ask, how did you know who I am?” Zareth asked, his voice formal as he studied the qalyan with cautious skepticism and began replacing its mouthpiece. “Also, how did you do those things with the illusions and setting the leaves on fire? I haven’t sensed you carrying any enchanted items.”

Othrik remained silent, not bothering to answer the question as he watched Zareth with an indulgent smile as the young cultist took his first tentative puff from the qalyan. Zareth immediately began to cough as he grew used to the smoke, but it was clear that the Shikaya leaves were having their effect when the tension slowly left his body.

Seemingly pleased, Othrik finally responded as he took a seat of his own. “Rizok has always been the unsociable sort. Even if you were meant to meet with a different member of the Tessik today, it seemed clear what was happening when he approached me with a strange lizardkin.”

Put like that, it wasn’t exactly the greatest leap of logic.

“Would have been rather awkward if you were wrong,” Zareth grumbled as he took another puff and broke into a fit of coughs.

Rizok winced as he patted the human’s back, wanting to remind him to be respectful. Fortunately, the Lore Guardian seemed to be in a good mood and only chuckled.

“As for the fire and the illusions, I would think you would recognize it given your recent interest in the Etherveil,” Othrik responded, immediately drawing Zareth’s undivided attention.

Sensing the direction that the conversation was moving, Rizok decided that it was time he explained why he had arranged this meeting.

“Lore Guardian Othrik, I’ve brought Zareth here because he has been facing several mysteries that I believe only someone like you may be able to answer,” Rizok said respectfully, interrupting before his companion could bombard the elder with every question that he’d been recently dwelling over. “Particularly, he is interested in learning more about the nature of the Etherveil and Divine Essence, as well as any information you may have about the Circle of Ghisara.”

Despite his politeness, Rizok could tell that Othrik was still a bit reluctant about having an outsider in his home, which was natural given his role. In Rizok’s experience, the best way to earn trust was to be blunt about these sorts of matters when possible and reveal your intentions from the beginning.

“If you’ve ever heard of a Kethr’syssen, I’d like to hear about that as well,” Zareth eagerly added as he leaned forward in obvious interest, looking like the perfect image of a curious hatchling.

Zareth had consented to having the details of his vision shared with the Tessik so that they could attempt to research the matter, so the Lore Guardian was already well aware of the word’s context.

Othrik hummed in acknowledgment, but said nothing for several moments as he quietly assessed both Zareth and also Rizok. Although the human had agreed to ally himself with the Tessik, bringing him here was a significant show of trust on Rizok’s part. The Lore Guardians were the very foundation of their organization, and any one of them being discovered by the Great Houses would be a disaster.

The Tessik would continue on as they had several contingencies in place for such an event, but it would still be a significant setback.

Rizok had been watching Zareth for quite some time now and had grown to trust him. While the human sometimes claimed to act in self-interest, Zareth had a stalwart sense of loyalty to those he considered his own and a fierce protective instinct. Rizok believed that Zareth would make for a truly valuable ally for his people if that bond could be fostered, and he hoped Othrik would be able to see that as well.

“I’ll assume that Rizok hasn’t explained to you my role in our community,” Othrik finally said, his expression not revealing anything as he tapped his fingers across the table. “The authorities believe me to be a [Carer] who looks after our community's children. I am in fact a [Lore Guardian] who has devoted his life to preserving the ancient wisdom and secrets of our people. Rizok has taken a significant risk revealing my identity to you.”

Everything that Lore Guardian Ohtrik had said so far was the truth, but the elder’s importance was even more significant than he implied.

In the past, the Tessik used to rely on [Lorekeepers] to preserve their ancestral knowledge. That was until the Great Houses eventually discovered this and began monitoring any lizardkin [Historians] in Tal’Qamar, ensuring they didn’t take the Class Evolution to become [Lorekeepers].

This one move nearly destroyed the Tessik entirely until one of their members discovered that [Lore Guardian] could also be acquired through the combination of [Carer] and [Instructor]. This was possible so long the individual demonstrated a deep commitment to preserving knowledge and imparting wisdom. Not only that, but acquiring the new Class awarded a truly powerful Crowning Skill that allowed the Tessik to successfully hide their survival from the Great Houses.

[Keeper of Knowledge] prevented any secrets shared by the [Lore Guardians] from being further disseminated without their permission. Any words, letters, or any other means of communication would become utterly indecipherable. This was why Rizok felt this meeting should take place face to face as Zareth would inevitably need to earn the trust of a [Lore Guardian] if he wanted to learn what he needed from the Tessik.

“I understand the risk that Rizok has taken and how important it is that your people remain a secret,” Zareth said solemnly, seeming to understand just how serious the situation was. “I assure you, my intentions are only to protect my cult and learn what you have to teach me. Rizok isn’t to blame for his decision to bring me here, and I will leave immediately if you believe I’m a risk to your people.”

Othrik was silent for several tense moments as he and Zareth locked gazes. Finally, the elderly lizardkin seemed to find what he was looking for and nodded in approval.

“Rizok isn’t the only member of the Tessik who has decided to join your cult. I’ve heard good things about you from not only them, but also those familiar with your deeds in the Sunrise Slums,” said Othrik, his expression losing its sharp edge and growing warmer. “It is for this reason, and your friendship with Rizok, that I will choose to trust you. The Tessik have too few allies to reward those who approach us genuinely with suspicion.”

Rizok let out a breath of relief as Zareth bowed respectfully to Lore Guardian Othrik.

“Thank you. I appreciate the trust you’ve placed in me,” said Zareth, hopefully genuine in his gratitude.

“You’re welcome, young man. Now let us address the reason why you’re here,” said Othrik as he extended one of his aged hands. “I believe many of your questions to be connected, and I believe the best place to begin is with the Etherveil. Please, take my hand.”

Zareth did so after only a short moment of hesitation.

Rizok wasn’t able to say anything before due to the effect of [Keeper of Knowledge], but he was actually more familiar with the Etherveil than most. While his Class didn’t offer an equivalent to [Ether Attunement], being able to channel even the smallest sliver of Ether was necessary to activate any Pre-System enchanted items.

This was how Rizok had deactivated the illusionary enchantment on the Nephalan book he gave to Zareth despite not being a [Mage]. Modern enchanted items were simultaneously more restrictive and more prolific than their Pre-System counterparts, being usable by anyone but requiring a magical source such as a Sunstone.

Rizok could sense the magic flowing from Lore Guardian Othrik into Zareth, and watched as the human’s expression lit up with awe.

“What is this? It feels like I’ve been connected to… something boundless and ancient,” Zareth said, voice filled with wonder. “It’s… everywhere. I can sense its presence all around us, but it's hard to describe. Like a scent that I never noticed but which I somehow know has always been there.”

That was a far more vivid description than when Rizok had experienced this same process. It had taken him multiple attempts before he was even able to sense the Etherveil even with the assistance of a Lore Guardian, yet Zareth had done so immediately.

“What you’re sensing is the Etherveil in its purest form,” Othrik explained with the same encouraging smile he always wore when teaching. “It’s an ancient, boundless energy that has underlied the fabric of our world since far before the System came into existence. A source of power through which anyone is capable of performing magic. I suspect that your Class is similar to my own in that it offers a Skill which increases your proficiency in channeling the Etherveil. Even if you have yet to choose this Skill, it would explain why you are able to feel it so vividly.”

That made sense to Rizok. [Lore Guardian] was similar in some respects to [Atavistic Apostle], at least in their shared focus on ancient knowledge. It made sense that they would share other commonalities as well.

“I see. But why do so few people use the Etherveil?” Zareth asked, his brows furrowed in confusion as he reluctantly released Othrik’s hand. “I’ve been told that it’s weaker and less efficient than wielding magic through the System, but I struggle to see how something so vast could ever be weak. Not to mention the fact that not everyone is a [Mage]. And how does the Etherveil relate to Divine Essence?”

Zareth immediately released a deluge of questions that he had accumulated over several weeks of fruitless research. Othrik merely chuckled in amusement and began answering them one after another, seeming more than willing to share what he knew now that he felt Zareth could be trusted. Meanwhile, Rizok stood up to retrieve refreshments even as he paid close attention to the admittedly interesting conversation.

None of Zareth’s questions were ones that Rizok had ever thought to ask, which made this a learning experience for the both of them.

Apparently, the Tessik had managed to preserve stories from the time of the System War which heavily confirmed that while the Etherveil was as strong as ever, it had definitely become more difficult to channel the moment the System came into existence.

That… carried worrying implications, and made Rizok wonder if those groups of anti-System lunatics knew more about the world than he expected.

Rizok also learned that even for Classes that offered Skills related to the Etherveil, mastering its use was a challenge on its own. However, Othrik still believed that doing so was worth the effort, especially for Classes like [Lore Guardian] or [Atavistic Apostle] which didn’t access magic via the System and could benefit from the versatility.

Divine Essence was said to seep into the Etherveil from the domains of the various deities that existed throughout the world. Compared to Ether, it was significantly more potent and infused with the specific attributes of the deity from which it emanated. In addition, it was also believed to passively improve the bodies of anyone who channeled it, bringing them closer to the divine ideal represented by that deity.

This made it both more unique and more powerful, but also more restricted in its effects compared to Ether. Especially given that some deities considered it an insult if you used their Divine Essence without permission or in a way that conflicted with their ethos.

One did not wish to make an enemy of a god, as Cerebon had so thoroughly displayed to everyone in Tal’Qamar.

“The Etherveil is like the ocean. Vast, deep, and open to all who navigate its depths,” Othrik was saying as Rizok returned with a plate of crispy Qahtani Beetles, a popular dish among lizardkin. “Divine Essence, on the other hand, is akin to a mighty river flowing from a specific source. It has a direction, a purpose, and a distinct character shaped by the deity it originates from. As for how these differences manifest in practice, I have several scrolls which record specific examples that my people have encountered.”

As Zareth absorbed this information, he absentmindedly ate one of the beetles and let out a hum of appreciation, much to Rizok’s amusement.

He wondered how long it would take the human to realize what he was eating.

“Interesting. That implies that if I were to choose [Divine Essence Attunement], that I could potentially access the abilities of gods other than Cerebon,” Zareth mused as he chewed his snack. “Is that why some gods form together into a pantheon, like the Conclave’s gods? It would make sense if a group of gods agreed to allow each other's followers to access their Divine Essence if it meant strengthening their collective influence.”

“That would explain much about the few other pantheons that I’ve encountered through my travels,” said Rizok, offering his perspective for the first time since their conversation began. “There have been a few occasions when I noticed a [Priest] wielding magic outside of their god’s domain.”

“Indeed. Pantheons are difficult to maintain due to the disparate priorities of the gods, but are powerful on the occasions when they work cohesively,” Othrik added as he shifted his attention to the plate of Qahtani Beetles. “It is fortunate for us that the Tessik noticed signs of the Conclave falling into infighting prior to their removal from Tal’Qamar.”

Rizok hadn’t known that, but it wouldn’t surprise him. In the rare periods over the past few years when he was in Tal’Qamar and not participating in a foreign war, the members of the Conclave barely seemed to interact with followers outside of their specific temples. It was sometimes difficult to believe that the Conclave had such a long history of communication and made him wonder what mutual interest had kept them together for so long.

A lull fell over the conversation as Zareth and Rizok digested the implications of everything they had learned, while Lore Guardian Othrik seemed content to enjoy his food. Zareth finally noticed what he had eaten and glared at Rizok, but otherwise said nothing as he turned his attention back to Othrik.

“You said that all of my questions were related, but I don’t see how,” Zareth said, breaking the short period of silence. “What does the Circle of Ghisara monitoring me have to do with the Etherveil or Divine Essence?”

“Hmph. Very little. It would be more accurate to say that I suspect from my readings that the word you heard in your vision, Kethr’syssen, is related to the Etherveil, and the Circle of Ghisara’s interest in you is related to this word,” Othrik slowly explained, though he seemed uncertain of his own conclusion. “Kethr’syssen translates roughly in our tongue as Nexus of Magic. The Tessik hold vague references to places in the world where the Etherveil is particularly powerful, though we have no proof of their actual existence.”

While that was only speculation, Rizok’s instincts told him that the Lore Guardian was likely on the right track. Something like that would definitely be worth burning down an entire library to monopolize, as had happened in Zareth’s vision.

“The Circle of Ghisara is a particularly troublesome group to the Tessik,” Othrik said with a scowl, his eyes hardening. “They are often the first to hoard any new scrolls about ancient history, and we go to exceptional lengths to protect ourselves from the sight of Seers. It would not surprise me if one of them saw your cult acquiring a scroll that they were interested in and decided to keep a close eye on your activities.”

While Othrik didn’t outright mention [Keeper of Knowledge] and the history of the [Lore Guardians], Rizok was smart enough to read between the lines. The elder clearly suspected the Circle of Ghisara of having been responsible for revealing them to the Great Houses in the past and blamed them for the Tessik’s near destruction.

It was a bit humbling for Rizok to realize just how much of Tal’Qamar’s history he was ignorant of, if he hadn’t even been aware of this.

It also significantly increased the level of threat which he viewed the Circle of Ghisara to be in regards to the Cult of Cerebon. Zareth must have reached a similar conclusion, because his eyes once again hardened in the same way that they had earlier.

“Then it seems that the Circle of Ghisara is a mutual enemy, Lore Guardian Othrik,” said Zareth, his tone firm and decisive and he locked gazes with the elder. “If we work together, it would be much easier to learn their true intentions and also discover the location of this ‘Nexus of Magic’ that the Conclave is attempting to hide.”

Othrik looked surprised for a moment, but soon let out a fierce grin and pushed Zareth to shake tails as a sign of their agreement.

Before long, Zareth was nestled in a corner fervently reading scrolls that covered a wide variety of topics, from the specific applications of Ether and Divine Essence to the various historical records that referenced anything resembling a Nexus of Magic.

It only took a few minutes for Zareth to become completely immersed in his research and completely forget that Rizok was in the same room, something he was rapidly growing accustomed to.

“Interesting lad that you’ve brought to me,” Othrik remarked as he joined Rizok, watching Zareth with open curiosity as the two of them enjoyed some tea on the other side of the room. “He won’t be able to bring any of these scrolls to that spire of his, of course, but I wouldn’t mind him coming here to learn from me about history and the Etherveil. He would have made an excellent [Lore Guardian], had he been born a lizardkin.”

Rizok agreed wholeheartedly, though he was somewhat surprised that Othrik felt the same way. He was fairly familiar with the Lore Guardian, and expected a much more difficult battle convincing him to trust Zareth.

“I’m glad to hear that, Lore Guardian. But I can’t help but worry that there’s a reason the Tessik seems so willing to share its knowledge with an outsider,” Rizok said quietly, once again deciding it best to be direct. “Am I wrong?”

“Always too perceptive for your own good,” Othrik said with a sigh, glancing at Rizok with an exasperated expression as he took a sip from his tea. “You’re not wrong, but there’s no need for you to be concerned about it quite yet. Suffice to say, the Tessik dearly needs that young man to be successful in his ambitions. At least until he is successfully rewarded with his own plot of land. Otherwise, you would not have been able to take as many liberties as you had, regardless of whose son you were.”

Rizok stiffened at the implied censure, but quickly forced himself to relax. He’d known that he’d taken many risks regarding Zareth, but he still believed it was worth it.

Fortunately, Lore Guardian Othrik seemed to share his opinion.

“So for now, there’s no need to worry. Thanks to you and the boy, our people have finally found the opportunity we’ve been waiting for,” said Othrik, turning his gaze back to Zareth as a hint of steely resolve grew in his eyes. “Whether it's regarding his contributions to the war, his interest in ancient knowledge, or whatever other ambitions come his way, the Tessik will aid him. And he will repay us in return.”

Rizok could tell that the Lore Guardian meant that partially as a threat, implying consequences if the Tessik weren’t given what they were promised in return. If that were to happen, Rizok would likely also face consequences as the one to reveal the Tessik to Zareth. However, he wasn’t overly worried. The human had never shown any signs of being the type of person to go back on his word.

“I have no doubt that he will, Lore Guardian Othrik,” said Rizok, reaffirming his decision to trust Zareth.

Othrik studied him for several moments before nodding decisively and standing from his seat, his genial smile reappearing as if it had never left. “I’m glad to hear that. How about I go get us a few more beetles? They’re truly lovely during this time of the year.”

As Othrik left, Rizok found himself releasing a breath he hadn’t realized that he was holding. While he was many times stronger than Lore Guardian Othrik, the man still had a formidable presence in his own right and was a high-ranking member of the Tessik for a good reason.

Directing his gaze back to Zareth, who was still completely engrossed in his research, Rizok hoped that he had made the right decision in tying his own fate to the human’s.