"No, Tannel, we weren't able to make contact with the human or the outsider," a man with brightly lit eyes said. "Ainorrh allows only people she trusts completely do that. And you know that among us, there are not many of them. Maybe only one."
He rose, stepping cautiously toward the cavern's entrance. The walls, woven with gnarled roots thicker than a man's arm, pulsed faintly with an unseen energy as if the tree itself was listening. Its towering presence stretched high into the sky above, its branches swaying slightly despite the still air. If not for Tannel's near-fatal tumble during her early days after transformation, they would have never found this sanctuary—hidden not only by nature but by a deeper, more powerful force that veiled it from prying minds.
Velot looked out, but there was no one there. They were safe. At least for now. He looked back at the group assembled in that tight space.
"I get that, Velot, of course I understand," Tannel answered. "What about the old city? I heard reports that the outsider ventures there for her training? Was there ever a chance? You missions as a defender allow you to be there."
"I'm usually not alone," said Velot.
If a human witnessed this dialogue, they'd probably think those were brother and sister. So much alike they were. But having twins transformed into enlightened together? What were the chances? And it wasn't like a human would have ever found out that these two people were having a conversation. All the words were passed through the Nexus.
"I've tried," continued Velot. "But I don't know who to trust."
That accidental human observer would have probably noticed some more similarities. Not only between the 'twins' but also among the other people assembled here. Firstly, their eyes. That would have been why a human should run for their life. The eyes are, of course, of different colors. But all of them shone with bright, ethereal light. Even without any lanterns, seeing what was happening in this cavern wasn't hard.
But that wasn't all. Even if it was hard to guess how old an enlightened was, these people looked like they were of the same age. They looked young. Which is why the other similarity would have seemed out of place. Even artificial. But it was what it was: all of them had streaks of white in their otherwise brightly colored hair.
"We can't allow Ainorrh to gain all the benefits from the outsider," a man who sat in the farthest corner decided to add to the conversation. "It will irreparably shift the balance of power. Not only for Wentouk. For all of us."
"Dear Selorrh, we understand that you are much closer to power than we are, as you are on your path of becoming a full shaman," said Velot. "But even we understand the consequences. But do you know what those benefits are? What the outsider brings to the table. What did she promise to Ainorrh?"
To that, Selorrh only spread his hands.
"That's what I thought," said Velot. "We're grasping in the dark here. That's dangerous. If we act without knowing what Ainorrh is planning—what the outsider is capable of—then we're playing into a storm blindfolded."
A tense ripple passed through the group, like a gust of wind disturbing still waters. Some nodded, jaws tight, eyes darting toward one another as if weighing the risks of their words. Others clenched their fists, powerful emotions simmering just beneath the surface. Even here, beneath layers of tangled roots, the weight of Ainorrh's name pressed on them like the air before a storm. To speak against her was dangerous. To act against her? That was something else entirely.
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Unexpectedly, a sound echoed through the cavern—the crunch of footsteps on loose gravel.
"Velot, you just checked," somebody said. "How could you not notice a person approaching."
"You know why," Velot muttered. "This damned tree doesn't just dampen the elemental forces—it swallows them. I reach out, and it's like my own power disappears into the roots." His glowing eyes flicked to the gnarled bark. "Sometimes I wonder if it's cursed."
The dissidents froze, their hearts pounding as they mentally prepared to respond to any aggression. A figure emerged from the shadows, tall and lean, with hair that was noticeably violet even in the dim light.
"Alliot," breathed Velot, relaxing. "You startled us."
After taking into account all the people gathered in the cavern, Alliot inclined his head in apology as if confirming his suspicions.
"You should be more careful, Velot," said Alliot. "And you shouldn't even be here. I should report you all."
A murmur spread between the gathered people. But no sounds were heard in the cavern besides the rustling of clothes.
Alliot's voice was low, uncertain. "I should report you. That's my duty." He exhaled, glancing at each of them in turn. "But I won't." A pause, the weight of his own words pressing against him. "I can't. We had all transitioned together. And now, how many new enlightened are there in Wentouk this year?"
"Only one," answered Tannel. "What's her name? Kael? She hasn't even got the professional suffix to her name yet."
"Exactly," said Alliot. "And there were twelve of us in our year. Even if only eleven remain. Two hundred years after the transformation. But how the times have changed."
"What are you saying?" asked another woman. "How did you even find us today?"
"Are you serious?" answered Alliot with a question. "It's our place. We have gathered here since the beginning. Of course, I found you. But that also tells me you are no threat to the city. You'd hide better if it was otherwise."
"So, you wouldn't report us?" asked Velot. "Why did you come then?"
"You have to stop this madness," said Alliot. "You are playing dissidents. But Ainorrh has our best interests in her mind. She works tirelessly to make Wentouk better."
"This isn't rebellion," Alliot continued. "It's splintering. We're already spread thin. Barely holding onto what we have. And now you want to divide us further? Ainorrh isn't perfect. She could obey her own rules better. But at least she's keeping us together."
"You are saying she knows how to use the outsider?" asked Tannel. "What does she bring to the table? What are her powers."
"I've seen her stats," said Alliot. "She's no joke. I don't think there is an enlightened more powerful. Even if we use…"
"Use what?" asked Velot, beginning to pace. "What do you know?"
"No… I can't tell you," said Alliot. "It's bad enough that I'm here. That I know about your… club. And don't report it."
Tannel stepped closer to Alliot and touched his arm. A tiny bit of elemental energy sparked between them. "Can you at least promise me you'll be wary?" she asked Alliot. "That you would listen to everything Ainorrh says and what the outsider tells you?"
"I… I can probably do that," said Alliot.
He exhaled, rubbing a hand over his jaw.
"Why do you all call her an 'outsider'?" Alliot asked." Like she wandered in from the mountains? She's not just some rogue human. She's an outworlder."
The cavern fell deathly silent. Selorrh was the first to react, his eyes burning like embers in the dim light.
"What?!?" He shot to his feet, the force of his movement stirring the dust. "And why, in all the Nexus, am I only hearing this now?"
His voice cut through the silence like a blade. "How is it that none of us knew this? How is it that Ainorrh kept this from us?!"