The Starlight Lancer

Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Hidden Enemy

"The Nova Rim at large has forgotten about the swarms of heretics invading their worlds not two centuries ago in the sixteenth Heretic War. Too much is forgotten too easily. These creatures are a blight upon this galaxy, birthed from a wrathful god. They are sent to punish the Nova Rim for its sins, but we do not abide by this god's judgment. The only righteous path in dealing with their kind is wholesale elimination. Nothing else will suffice."

—High Priest of Faldak Gerzimone Gradarn, in an official edict to his followers

"I ran after them until my mentor stopped me," Zaina said, "I never saw their face. I don't know what they wanted—or why they were there."

High Scholar Geli Fawndar leaned in. "And you say they were wielding a fang?"

"Yes," Zaina said as her eyes darted about High Scholar Fawndar's personal office—it was in disarray, with books on all subjects strewn about, their places marked with string; papers and writing utensils were scattered across a large desk, with Geli's assistants poring through them for requested information. Ovela was standing beside High Scholar Vae, who was fuming in the back corner; the former lancer gave a subtle wave and half-smile as Zaina's eyes fell on her.

Zaina nodded and continued, "Yes—a black sword. It was exactly like the one I saw back on Demelia."

Geli stroked her chin. "This is troubling news, indeed. This heretic may have been attempting to reach out to you, or trying to lead you into a trap. It's likely this is only the beginning, especially since they've been able to mask their presence."

"Didn't you check your surveillance? Can't you track where they came from?" Zaina asked.

Geli shook her head. "I'm afraid not. It's the same as the Eldritch's orb—some sort of interference prevents the feed from working properly. This time it affected our entire residential area's monitoring system for a few hours. It is most frustrating."

Another High Scholar, hovering to Geli's right, surged forward. This one was an elderly female Grathian, with smooth green skin and a flat, noseless face; her hair was black, symbolizing old age amongst Grathians, and was twisted, thin, and wispy. "Its foul magick is at play—the Eldritch is ancient, able to bend reality itself to its will; there's no telling what it will do in service of fulfilling its one purpose."

Geli gestured toward the High Scholar. "Zaina, if I may introduce High Scholar Yla Fidabow, Scholar Suprema of Chronicling. She would like to speak with you."

Zaina shifted her weight, a little on edge. She didn't know what to expect whenever a new scholar presented themselves—would they accept her, or no?

"Zaina," the elder scholar said. "You indicated in your prior testimony that the Eldritch is capable of bodily possession—of incorporating people's flesh, or overwhelming their spirit into doing its bidding. Do you believe that either may be the case here?"

Zaina frowned. "It seems unlikely that a heretic would be able to land on Kaado and do all this. Be all the places they need to—I don't know. I think there's a better chance it came from within."

Yla leaned in, though her eyes were clear and glassy, clearly years removed from proper sight. "You think the Eldritch has targeted one of our own—perhaps one who strayed where they should not."

Zaina shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine, but that's what makes the most sense to me."

Yla sighed. Then, the elder said, "You've given us much information about the Eldritch; I suppose it's fair to return the favor with what the Order knows. The Eldritch predates the Synatorium, the Order—possibly even the universe in its current state. Current estimates of its age—gathered via analysis of the orb you provided—date the Eldritch's first host back to before the fall of the Primortala."