A Hand-Woven Universe 114 113. Risk and Reward

Sarah's breathing shook and her entire body shuddered violently. Heavy air escaped from her lungs, dispersing into the room like a cloud of bad energy. As she came to, she recalled the vivid dream she had experienced while contacting Hoar. This was her first time experiencing such a high-level communication. It was as though Hoar had been speaking directly into her mind, bypassing all her own thoughts.

If you serve me, I will give you power. I want nothing more than for you to become the greatest warrior within my arsenal.

"But…"

Worry not. You are more than capable. Pursue the path of vengeance with all of your being, and I will watch over you.

…

…

…

"… I accept…"

As her mind began to resynchronize with her own physical body, her heart clenched painfully as she recalled the last thing that happened in her vision. This should be a moment of celebration, but instead anxiety overtook her. She shot to her feet unsteadily and looked towards Noone.

Sincere worry crossed her face as she saw him.

Noone was crumpled on the floor by the door. His entire body was covered in cold sweat and some kind of muck. His face was screwed up painfully as though someone was torturing him. Sarah could see blood stained on the floor, Noone having coughed it up at some point.

He was shivering and his muscles spasmed like he had been struck by lightning. Sarah was horrified at what she was seeing.

She immediately rushed next to him and gave him a hard shake, trying to wake him into consciousness. He moaned barely comprehensible words.

"I'm fine… One sec…" Noone coughed out another mouthful of blood causing Sarah to jump out of the way before he sat up unsteadily. Despite his ragged state, he was unable to hide a blood-strained smile.

Sarah looked at him unsure what to think. What did Noone do to cause this? How did this happen?

"Noone…?" Her voice was surprisingly steady compared to her scattered thoughts. Now that he was sitting up, she could tell he would be okay. His smile didn't seem forced and it eased her worries. It seemed that whatever happened was only temporary.

"Yeah?" He responded, putting all internal matters aside for the moment. He realized that what he did was stupid, but he didn't regret it.

"I… have a message for you." Sarah hesitated. Noone looked at her in confusion. A message? For me?

"Umm…" Sarah paused, avoiding his eyes as she spoke. "He… um, Hoar, said that 'if you ever pull this shit again, he has no qualms sending every paladin under his command after you to tear you to pieces… and if it wasn't for you guiding me to choose him, he would have ended your miserable existence himself right there.'" Sarah looked away sheepishly as she quoted the god word-for-word.

Sarah and Noone looked at each other. Noone choked on his own saliva as he heard what she said, eyes wide.

"Well… huh." Noone finally managed to squeeze out. He was completely unsure of what to say. A different kind of chill ran up his spine.

"Noone… What on earth were you doing while I was praying." Sarah finally asked. She was scared for Noone but also understood that whatever he did, he brought it upon himself.

"Well… You know. Stuff happens." Noone tried to smile as innocent as he could. However, he knew he wasn't very convincing sitting against the wall covered in sweat and coughing up blood.

Sarah said nothing, only staring at Noone. For once, Noone decided to look away instead of holding eye contact. He knew he was in the wrong this time. Dumb god. All I did was take a little energy for myself? Is that really that big of a deal? He has so much to spare anyways...

However… when Noone felt his body and took a close look at his meridians… he didn't regret his choice.

"I broke through. Finally. Mid circle of Qi Condensation. I broke through…" Noone's smile widened. The density of energy within his body was now at the level of a sauna. It coursed through him, only a few steps away from condensing into liquid.

"I need to shower." Noone said, taking note of the impurities which were expelled through his pores, leaving him covered in a gross film.

A moment passed and they only looked at each other. Suddenly they began to laugh.

The feeling of leveling up was euphoric. Not only did Noone break through to the mid-circle Qi Condensation stage, but Sarah was now a proper paladin as well.

"Life takes some weird turns." Sarah thought silently. "Let's go. I will show you where the showers are while I go visit Jakobson." Noone nodded, standing to his full height. Sarah watched him and couldn't help but feel that he had a more intimidating air about him.

By the time they left her room it was mid-morning. They would be leaving later that day.

Noone and Sarah separated after she showed him where the showers were. Finally, Noone relaxed under the hot stream of water.

"What a day…" He thought. He used his calloused hands to rub his aching head. In truth, he almost died. If Hoar hadn't decided to forgive him, there was no way Noone would have been able to get away with stealing energy from a god. It was basically the equivalent of spitting in Hoar's face.

"But… I managed to find the right path." Noone smiled and held his hand out, clenching his fingers into a fist. Noone saw threads of energy condense around his fingers. There's no reward without some risk…

It was only the clear minor energy of nature, but it was more than he could do before. On top of that… even within the temple, his divine sense was now extended a full three meters. Noone was excited to see what it would be like outside of the temple.

Noone's eyes closed as the water washed off the muck and sweat that had accrued on his body.

Walking down the hall, Sarah's eyes were set steady facing ahead. She was preparing herself to meet Jakobson.

Jakobson had raised her since she lost her family and home, he had always taken care of her. Even now, he had taken care of her, offering her a path all her own.

She didn't know how she could ever thank him.

She stopped in front of his office, knocking against the steel door.

"Who is it?" A familiar deep voice echoed through the door.

"It's Sarah."

A pause. Sarah thought she heard a sigh on the other side.

"Come in Sarah." This time Jakobson's voice was much softer.

She stepped through the door. Since advancing into a paladin her body had been reinforced, she had no problems opening the heavy steel door.

Jakobson was sitting inside alone, drinking tea on the sofa. In front of him was a book of prayer.

"Well. Sit down then." He said. Sarah felt that Jakobson was looking right through her. "Tell me about how it went."

Sarah nodded, and sat down across from him. He passed her a second cup of tea.

"I read it as soon as you gave it to me…" Sarah began to tell Jakobson everything about the past few days.

Jakobson was shocked when Sarah said she was approached by every god in the book. He was worried when she said she let Noone decide, and the reasons behind doing it in such a way. He was anxious when she said she contacted Hoar, and he was incredulous when he heard about what happened to Noone.

"Hoar… huh. He is a strong one, and good to his word. I hate to say it but Noone chose well." Jakobson had nothing against Noone, but he cared too much about Sarah.

Sarah fished the black book out of her pocket, sliding it across the table to Jakobson. However, Jakobson immediately slid it back.

"Sarah. I don't want it anymore." Jakobson sighed, looking her right in the eyes.

"I was on the same path you are heading down, Sarah. I have had this book for most of my life… and you aren't the first person I have given it to. You aren't the first person I have helped down this path. But I want you to be the last. I'm old now. I don't want to send anymore youngsters into the hands of the Oath of Vengeance."

Sarah's eyes watered as she listened to him.

Jakobson began talking about aspects of his life she had never heard before, including his time as a paladin of vengeance.

It was like this that they sat and talked for hours. Neither were sure when they would see each other again.
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It wouldn't be too much to say Sarah looked up to Jakobson like her own father.

Chapter end