The War of the Roil: The Knight and the Warlock

Chapter 28: True Weakness

Gammond's eyes snapped open.

But not to a bed or an infirmary. Not even to a room. Or anything.

He awoke standing in the middle of an endless void, swirling with bluish mist. This was the Roil. Or at least, how it had been depicted.

"H-hello?" Gammond called out. His voice echoed amongst the emptiness.

"Gammond Hross." a voice boomed.

Gammond whirled around, turning to a human face far larger than his own body. He stumbled backwards, with a yelp.

It was a man's face, covered in creases and wrinkles, long black hair and a beard. Though, his skin was a vivid blue color.

"W-what in the Abyss?" Gammond cried.

"Please calm yourself." the man said. Though when he spoke, his mouth never moved.

Though, the face wasn't alone. It had a body. The body of a lion. Separated by a large metal headdress, was a powerful, similarly blue and proportionally huge lion's body. Furthermore, a giant pair of bird wings extended from the creature's back.

"What are you?" Gammond asked.

"I am called the Archivist. Your people refer to my kind as Sphinxes."

"The Archivist...I've heard your name somewhere before." Gammond muttered, "The...the Scholar. You served under the Scholar, didn't you?"

The sphinx nodded.

"Why am I here? Is this the Roil?"

"No." The Archivist said, "However, it is similar to the Roil. This space resides within the realm of the human subconscious."

Gammond blinked, "I'm not even going to pretend I know what that means."

"You are in a coma in the physical world. This is the only means by which I can communicate with you." the sphinx said.

"But why do you need to communicate with me?" Gammond asked.

"Two reasons. You have been betrayed, Gammond Hross."

"Betrayed?"

"Your Consulate, which you and your fellow Consuls worked to make an effective and fair governing system, has been overthrown from the inside." the Archivist said.

"By who?"

"I cannot say. But what I can offer is a solution. You see, Opion refuses to select a Champion. So, being that I was personally moved by your strides in creating your government, I would like to offer you this."

The Archivist's eyes glowed blue as a flash of light appeared before him. As the flash faded, a perfectly cut stone hovered within space.

"Is that..." Gammond started.

"This is the Brilliance Stone. It will allow you to overcome the tyranny in your country."

"What of the Cerberus Project? The Scholar's weapon?" Gammond dared to ask.

"There is no Cerberus Project." The Archivist said, "Nor is there a Brilliance Stone."

Gammond frowned, "What?"

"I am not in the possession of the Brilliance Stone. Your enemy Caze is."

"Right..." Gammond recalled.

"And every Scholar has created their own Cerberus Project. It is always changing and always suits the wielder's personal abilities. Nevertheless, I offer you my blessing to be Champion." the Archivist said.