The Lightblessed served the Eternal Light as a community. As their population diminished, the responsibility increasingly fell to fewer people, until only one remained as its gatekeeper. Untethering itself from a doomed legacy, the Burden found a new successor to ward against the Darkness and the Void. It, too, needed change.

Chapter 50

Trynneia walked down the steps of the Atrium, feeling emboldened. Only once did she stop, wracked by a fit of coughing she could not hold within. Shallin walked at her side, with Igol leading the way. Two ceremonial guards followed them, to prevent their escape and enforce a sense of control.

The three Regents sat in their thrones to preside over the ceremony. For this, Regent Alcumi sat in the middle, with Regent Shingto to his left, and Regent Torvas to his right. The short man’s throne rose slightly higher, perhaps a concession to his diminished stature. Trynneia almost smiled at the absurdity of it.

Shallin grabbed her hand, and Trynneia felt the warmth of her companion’s aura pulsing around her as a more subtle thrum vibrated her flesh. The three Regents looked serene ahead of her, yet stern and commanding as well in their white robes inlaid with silver and gold filigree. A long table spread before them, and each had golden sconces of light floating above pillars that framed their seat backs. She tried not to see them as the very credible threat Shallin warned they might be.

All three had auras of black shot through with streaks of red. When she half-lidded her eyes and inhaled, Trynneia perceived the bands of blues and greens that hovered so gently around their limbs, begging to be touched. Sulfurous stench masked by delicate perfumes and cologne flowed forth from them.

Trynneia and Shallin descended, their arms unrestrained as they approached the long table. Spectators began to file in after, filling in the rows from the bottom up. The nearest seats held members of the Illuminari Council. Among them sat Lord Elanreu, and Trynneia could smell the anger in Torvas’ blood when he realized the Lord was present. At that, she did smile, glad her only father figure had arrived to support her.

The suns had not yet climbed high when Regent Alcumi beckoned her forward. Shallin walked with her. Though early, the Regency seemed eager to proceed.

“You’re not on trial here, young Shallin,” Regent Shingto said. “You may step to the side,” she directed with her hand, clearly unwilling to take no for an answer.

Trynneia squeezed her hand. “I’ll be fine,” she said under her breath. “Maybe they’ll let you go after all.”

“Don’t count on it,” Shallin whispered back.

Igol retrieved three items from a crate that had been set at one end of the table. Grabbing each in turn, he walked back and forth one at a time to lay before the Regents first a lightning etched short sword stained with blood. Ah, evidence, Trynneia realized. They lay before you the implements of your demise, fool! The second was a dagger, the very same she’d received from Lord Elanreu. Shallin blanched when she saw it, remembering.

Thrumming increased, lashing invisible branches to her when she saw the third item. In Igol’s hand was the totem. He held it carefully as he walked past her, but she paid him no heed. Instead, colors surged away from it, every color she’d ever seen, a rainbow of life and power that spilled forth heedless. Trynneia’s jaw fell open, unable to focus on anything else.

Walk in the Light. Use us. -unburden yourself- You have come this far, do not falter. Seize what is meant for you. -blood is the corruption is the filth- Serve your purpose. Serve your duty. You are more than they are. Feel it. Trust yourself. -trust no one- Driver was the cause of all this. -ask them-

Words flooded her mind, all this and more. Nothing Alcumi said for several moments even registered. His words did not matter to her while she watched butterflies and birds coalesce, visions made out of the light, swarming and chasing each other. Trynneia’s gaze followed them up and up, into the sky.

Trynneia’s attention, like every day, focused on those little diversions above her. Two butterflies danced, their orange and black mating ritual fluttering in an intricate pattern that Trynneia felt only she could appreciate. There was a fundamental beauty there as one seemed to taunt the other, then flitted away. A lazy pursuit followed, then they both dipped out of view, chased by a pair of sparrows. Trynneia smiled.

Her distraction caused her to overlook the disapproval of Regent Alcumi, and outraged comments by several Illuminari council members. Regent Alcumi did not hold back when he pounded his small gavel, knocking loud enough to catch her attention and pull her back to reality. “You can chase your Skytouched fancies tomorrow, Your Grace. Today perhaps you can focus on these proceedings? This is what you’re here for.”

“Sorry, Regent Alcumi, I’ll try to pay better attention. Tomorrow,” she offered, smirking as Regent Alcumi rolled his eyes and began to talk again.

“You do not understand the seriousness of the accusations laid before us, Your Grace.”

“I honestly don’t care, Regent.” Shocked gasps went up from the Atrium. Lord Elanreu smiled, proud.

She approached the table, grabbing her totem and placing it about her neck. Calm settled into her. Next she took the dagger, putting it into her belt. Then she grabbed the sword and pointed it at Regent Shingto. Shocked at her audacity, the guards failed to stop her.

“Who was Driver to you, Regent?” Trynneia questioned patiently. “You wanted him specifically killed.” She looked at Alcumi. “Madness, isn’t that what you said about going after him?” She turned further to Torvas. “What vengeance was she seeking, Regent Torvas?”

Regent Shingto went pale, and all three of their auras vanished.

“Your Grace…” Alcumi started.

“Everything that brought me here started with him. With this,” she said, touching the totem with her free hand. “Your vengeance,” she sneered at Shingto, “caused Lord Elanreu to employ his most ruthless hunters against my home. Against my mother. Against me. To deliver a message. Why?”

She could smell their heartbeats as they throbbed, mixed with the stench of sweat and fear. Trynneia lowered her sword and leaned against it.

“I’m waiting.”

“We are not on trial here, Your Grace. You are,” Regent Torvas said.

“For what, exactly?” Her disrespect caught him off guard. She coughed. “For being myself? Is it illegal to be Lightblessed?”

“You came seeking Light’s Judgment, Your Grace. This was your own doing,” Regent Alcumi said, flustered. “You are an abomination under the Light, and a shaman. Those alone are cause for trial. Add to that-”

“Shhhh. I want to hear her answer,” Trynneia interrupted. Your trial no longer matters. They are on trial now. Unmask them. -defile them- She walked around Regent Shingto and up the dais to the throne above them. She sat, placing her sword across her lap.

Audible murmurs rose throughout the Atrium as the three Regents repositioned their thrones with aid from servants to face her. Shallin followed her up, and stood by her side.

“Your corruption has muddled your mind, Your Grace. Come down from there at once,” Regent Alcumi hissed. “You are not worthy of that throne.”

“I demand your silence, Regent.” You control them. They serve your throne. -do not answer to them- -cow them- “Speak, Shingto.” The voices expressed her desires, and reassured her.

Shingto pushed herself to stand, the whites of her knuckles clearly visible. She approached, running her fingers through her brown hair. “Perhaps we can discuss this somewhere more private, Your Grace,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“He was your lover, wasn’t he, Regent?” Trynneia guessed aloud. “That’s why you wanted him destroyed so viciously when you found him. Is that correct?”

Shocked, Regent Shingto brought her hand to her mouth, nodding. The tears in her eyes were the only confirmation Trynneia needed.

“My life has been ruined by you, for spurned love,” Trynneia spat. “Light spare you,” she whispered mockingly. Another coughing fit took her and she wiped blood from her lips. Turning to the assemblage, she continued, her voice carrying throughout the Atrium.

“The Regency has abused its power for personal gain. Lord Elanreu,” she said, looking down at him. “Tell this council and assembly how you obtained your Lordship.”

“This is ridiculous!” Shouted Regent Torvas.

“Elanreu’s Hunters seek to remove the shaman threat!” Someone yelled from the back. “He’s a Light blessed hero! His school is a blessing!”

“Savior of Praxoenn!” shouted another.

She found the first defender among the crowd, felt the tendrils about him, and pulled. He rose up, and she floated him down to stand terrified in front of Lord Elanreu. “You’ve definitely got a dramatic flair, Oathbreaker!” Elanreu laughed, defiant. More gasps at his epithet. “I see where you’re going with this.”

He stood and addressed the crowd. “My school is a cover, and a useful one. I did not win my fame or glory or Lordship by hunting shaman. This Regency,” he pointed, “bought my silence after directing me to hunt Lightblessed.”

“Surely to return them to us, to lead us, praise the Light!” His defender tried to reason, selling the idea to the crowd. Murmurs of approval and confusion answered in mixed reply.

“My service only brought death.” The finality of Elanreu’s declaration silenced the crowd for a moment.

Together, the assembly erupted. Shouts of treason and calls for the Regency’s removal filled the air. Lord Elanreu beamed, proud. Even Shallin smiled at Trynneia. Other calls against Elanreu or Trynneia were drowned out amidst the noise.

As the volume crescendoed, she lost herself again, staring up into the sky. Whispers filled her ears, crowding out the human tumult. -unmasked- -defied- -ruined- Doubt now wells up amongst the assembly. You are the Illuminari. Serve your purpose. Use us. Take up the mantle they’ve preserved.

“Shallin,” she said, so only her companion could hear. “Take the dagger,” Trynneia stood.

“I am still on trial to you, the Illuminari, and must, as a forsaken Lightblessed, prove myself. I’ve lost its sanction. I came here for Light’s Judgment. Instead, I shall proclaim it. Regent Shingto, prick your finger with my dagger. In good faith,” she added.

Regent Shingto looked back and forth between the two young women. Shallin hid her confusion well and proffered the blade. The din quieted as the crowd watched the Regent draw blood. Trynneia took the finger and made a show of licking the drop.

Images surged into her mind, flickering through the Regent’s life with unbridled fury. She gripped the throne as she struggled to dismiss her. “Regent Torvas, you’re next.”

“I refuse,” he yelled as he began to walk away. “We’ll continue this when you’re in a normal state of mind, abomination.”

“We’ll do this now,” she said, blasting him with air and wrapping tendrils around him to bring him before her. Trynneia did not do so gently, dragging him roughly from his chair and up the few stairs with her power. Regent Alcumi stomped up red-faced, unwilling to be commanded but clearly furious at Trynneia. Shallin pricked both their fingers as well, and Trynneia took blood from each of them.

-the rage and the flame and the hate- -blind them- -bind them- -they are false and the faulted- -defiler- -abomination-

“You embrace it, abomination! You are not worthy of that throne. We’ll find another Lightblessed,” Alcumi bellowed. “This is humiliating!”

“There are none left, Regent,” she said, looking up at the sky. The first sun peeked into the Atrium at last. The second would soon follow. Halos surged around the people of the assembly, most in yellows and whites, but the Regents and several among the council blazed with crimson or were shrouded by shadow.

“I have come to accept Light’s Judgment. Nothing you say has any meaning beyond that.” She began shrugging out of her outfit to stand bare before the crowd. The Regents exchanged uncomfortable looks as the situation fell more out of their control.

“Shallin,” she said, at last feeling terrified. “I appoint you Blinder,” she whispered, gathering her courage.

“Your Grace, I can’t.” The dagger shook as Shallin’s hand trembled.

“We’ve already done worse to each other. I can trust you with this.”

“Please, you’ve got nothing left to prove to them. You’ve ruined them. You can leave.”

“No, I can’t,” she said. “Please, do this for me.”

Shallin swallowed nervously, unable to hide her tears. “You’re sure?”

“No,” Trynneia replied. Pus leaked from the witch’s mark, and her Lightblessed runes ran free with blood already. Veins spiderwebbed across her body with greens and blacks, and even her skin looked ruined. Nakedly she stood, the extent of the corruption burning through her body revealed to all. “If the Light can’t save me from this sickness…It’s for the best, Shallin.”

Shallin put her hand behind Trynneia’s head and held her steady. “This is going to hurt,” she warned. She gripped Trynneia’s hair hard.

“You think I don’t know that?” Wincing, Trynneia mustered a weak chuckle. With one hand she gripped her totem, forcing the voices from her mind as well as she could. In the other she held her short sword, flexing her hand on the hilt. “Okay, I’m ready,” she said.

The second sun began to shine directly into the atrium, filling each row with additional light and heat. Shallin raised her hand, and panicked as Trynneia’s eyes began to glow orange, then blood red.

-pain and death- This is not the way. Light save you. -you break one last oath-

Oathbreaker

Two rapid shallow pricks later, blood streamed down Trynneia’s face as she screamed.

“Light save me!” Her voice echoed throughout the Atrium. A feeling of warmth swelled in her bosom as she yelled. A beam of light arced out, tearing into the corruption, leaving a bloody, gaping wound in her chest. Smoke curled up and wisped away from her body, and she focused on the taste of blood in her mouth.

Savored it. Awareness permeated her. Trynneia saw through their eyes and felt their revulsion. She embraced it. To her knees, she stumbled, supporting herself only with the sword as lightning arced up to her hand from the blade. Elemental voices and others besides dwindled until they vanished entirely. They all suffered from her Judgment.

She felt each of the Regent’s heartbeats. Torvas’ stuttered erratically as he clutched his chest, Alcumi’s trilled like a hummingbird, and Shingto’s throbbed welcomingly in her throat, of all places. Control merged, and the three beats synchronized as one. Trynneia sent a surge, harder and harder with each pulse, straining their vessels. Alcumi died first, his heart failing, overworked. Torvas went second, his heart literally bursting within. Shingto itched, scratching her body with her nails until the wounds bled her out.

Trynneia pulled the Light of the suns as they both slowly rose above the Atrium. It pushed through her, blazing into the three Regents and setting them all aflame. Her own Lightblessed runes surged blinding white as she screamed all the while. When the three former Regents remained as nothing more than smoldering ash upon the floor, she collapsed, her power spent.

Shallin knelt, searching for a pulse, giving Lord Elanreu a frantic look of terror as Trynneia’s body began to grow cold. He pushed his way through the crowd to his ward, shielding the two young women from the people demanding answers. Cries went up, some of murder, some of treachery. Many espoused vengeance. Chaos reigned.

Lord Elanreu ignored them, spreading his cloak over Trynneia’s still form. For the first time in years, he wept.