One of four, path to Fjoltheir

World that all souls so desire

Those unchosen build the pyre

Realm of the Living, set on fire

Translation from Effylscript found on the Fjoltheir Portal in Hyrfvar.

Kollyn fought down the uneasiness that swelled up from within and collected his thoughts. He was Elevated. Of course, he still owed the Ligtyr all the respect he deserved but bowing and avoiding his gaze was beneath him now.

“Walk with me,” he said and motioned for Kollyn to follow.

They walked away from the table and into the circle of columns that rose higher than the eye could reach. The Ligtyr traced his hands along the engravings on them as they walked past.

“How is your Effylscript, Brother Kollyn?” he asked.

Kollyn followed the engravings with his eyes. “I have a basic understanding, Ligtyr. Given enough time I would be able to read most of these stories. These past few months studying were certainly beneficial in my understanding of the script.”

The Ligtyr nodded back in appreciation. “Not many these days bother spending the time to learn the old tongues. And unfortunately, time isn’t something we have an abundance of. How did you feel about my decision to send you into Iodigar?”

“It is my honour to serve your wishes, Ligtyr.” Kollyn answered truthfully. He felt honoured, if not entirely confident.

The Ligtyr nodded appreciatively and continued walking, his hand following along the lines of the script. Occasionally, he would give a short anecdote or story with a certain section and explain the history behind it. Kollyn only listened with half an ear. Something was bothering him.

“This has been your intention since my Elevation then? To send me into Iodigar?” Kollyn asked eventually. “Ligtyr.” He added quickly.

The Ligtyr turned and grinned, an expression that seemed unbefitting to the man’s role.

“And before that,” he answered. “You have a gift, Brother Kollyn. A gift you have gained a certain degree of control over in your years as acolyte and have hopefully honed more in your months as Elevated. I had wished you would have been given more time, but the situation is dire. People are dying. We need to see Iodigar restored.”

Kollyn hesitated. “You call it a gift, Ligtyr. Yet it only ever manifests when I am filled with rage or fear and find myself killing things. And even when it manifests, I feel it slipping away from me with every breath. I cannot afford losing myself again and...” He hesitated. Not my fault. “I fear I do not control it as well as you think.”

They locked eyes for a moment, a sense of sympathy showing on the Ligtyr’s face. “One day, Brother Kollyn, you will understand why I call it a gift. Give it time. That is all I ask of you.”

Kollyn gave a slight bow in understanding, but the doubts did not disappear completely. How could they after...

“This mission,” he began quickly, not giving himself time to dwell on the painful memories, “I am to be accompanied by a Sister I assume?”

The Ligtyr nodded. “One of the Elevated Keepers from Halfast, chosen by the Ylfru herself. From what I understand, she has certain... gifts as well.”

Kollyn nodded. The thought of another capable fighter travelling alongside him was a comforting one.

“What do you know of Iodigar?” the Ligtyr asked, now walking shoulder to shoulder with Kollyn.

“Not overtly much,” Kollyn admitted, “but then again there are so few texts talking of it, so information is scarce. From what I’ve read and learned, it is one of two Realms of Passage and the opposite of Ysdigar, First Passage, where souls are born and are given life. In Iodigar, the souls of the dead roam until they fade into the afterlife. Or so they should.”

“Travelling into Iodigar is surprisingly easy,” the Ligtyr added. “All you need to do is to die.”

He gave a short laugh at Kollyn’s worried expression.

“My apologies.” He smiled. “That is if you only want your soul to travel there, of course. To enter as a living being is only a bit more complicated, but still relatively easy. It’s the getting back that is more worrying. Not that it’s impossible. It’s only... very difficult.”

“And the Vren?” Kollyn asked. “How did they come back from Iodigar?”

“Now that’s the question, isn’t it? It used to be a rare thing, happening maybe once every ten to twenty years. Yet now it feels as if new Vren are appearing every single day. Something is wrong. Something unnatural. I would go myself if I could, but Iodigar poses certain... limitations on me and my abilities.”

He placed his hands on Kollyn shoulders, a sense of warmth emanating from the touch. “This is not an easy task I give you, Kollyn. I won’t shield you from the truth, it is very possible that you will die or never be able to return. But if there was one person capable of seeing this out to the end, it would be you.”

“I will not fail you, Ligtyr,” Kollyn answered. The confidence in his voice reflected what he felt. He would not fail.

The Ligtyr gave a satisfied smile. “The world puts their faith in you, Brother Kollyn, even if it doesn’t know it. I will send you back to your rooms to prepare. When the sun has set, I will call on you for departure.”

Kollyn bowed as the Ligtyr moved to a pillar and placed his hands on it. The rippling effect of an Axesem appeared and started spreading. Kollyn stepped through and into his study.