Chapter 3-92: Servants of Heaven (1/2)

“So you are a shard of the soul of this Aelryinth, forcibly reincarnated into a native of this world.” The deva sat back in open wonder. “Well, this is certainly far beyond what I had expected, and far more in line with some of the adroitly torturous manipulations of the workings of the Divine...”

“TRUTH.”

The Word rang out, and his true form flared into existence like an illusion, his nature momentarily apparent to all. Master Fred’s multiple Pacts blazed under his skin in interwoven existences of power; shadows of what had been, and were waiting to be filled again, and the same even ghosted across under my own borrowed epidermis.

The deva’s eyes closed as the power of the Word faded away. He took a deep, satisfied breath. “It has been too long since I have Heard the power of the Words... and I did indeed see the residue of an unbroken, yet faded Heavenbound Pact.” He looked at my eyes in interest. “This Shroudborn status of yours is tied to the Shroud itself?”

“Yes. It cuts me off from contact with both the Divine and the Land. I cannot touch the Alignments for true power, either, so I cannot form the Pact. I suppose you could also almost call it a genetic Pact, but there is precious little I am getting from it.” Other than totally mucking up my Leveling, that is...

“Interesting. Now, I should be able to stir up that, at least. Your hand, if you please?” I gave it into his warm grasp without hesitation. “Do you remember the Oath?” he asked calmly.

“One does not ever forget the Words of a Pact, Elder.” Indeed, Aelryinth had administered that Pact to new Warlocks in the past... and Pacts for other powers, as well...

“Agree you to serve the Will of Heaven?

To defend the weak?

To protect the innocent?

To defy the diabolic?

To hurl back the demonic?

To thwart the daemonic?

To embrace virtue and scorn sin?

To be shield and sword, spear and hammer, hand and foot, Word and Song of the Empyrean Sphere?!

To seek out those that serve Evil, and stand between them and their ambitions upon this mortal world?!”

Valor rang out despite itself, set the whole room ringing with the Thunder and will to defy anything and everything in pursuit of the Highest of Causes. It was bells and horns and uplifting arias to the soul... fading all too quickly...

I met his eyes cleanly. “I do.”

In the presence of a Celestial, sealed with the Words of Creation, the Pact should have empowered instantly and immediately. I could speak the Words... I was worthy by definition of being able to do that to take a Pact.

Nothing. No, wait. A glimmer of Light, coasting across my soul, fading Light clinging to echoes upon my soul... and sustained by the existence of the Words within my Matrix.

I blinked as he released my hand, the angel nodding in satisfaction. I glanced at Master Fred, who pointed to his eyes.

I fished out a make-up mirror because reasons I was carrying one, and met my eyes in it.

Huh, the natural pupils and iris were now visible through the Shroudborn darkness. They didn’t actually look like Heavenbound eyes if you had any sense at all, but my resemblance to Master Fred’s would doubtless be commented on.

Still, better than all black things. Those eyes had seriously been rather creepy and not a positive style contribution. Intimidating, too.

“That works, too,” I nodded happily, stowing the mirror back away.

He waved his hand. “An acknowledgement of your status. Those sworn to Heaven will be able to sense it with a touch, naturally... as will our opposites, if you drop that Divination Ward you have about yourself.”

“Understood.” Unfortunately, it was a long way to a full Astral Ward. 39k more gold-equivalent. One more item on the stack...

“So, tell me what you have planned. I do not give more than passing guidance to the Heavenbound Hall’s operations, as the deeds of mortals should belong to them, but as you might imagine, they will seriously consider my words.”

I had to smile slightly. “Does the lack of abject reverence discomfort you, Elder?”

“No, actually. An Archon might be uncomfortable with the lack of hierarchical priorities, but I am not of the Silver. It would, of course, be far more suitable if they actually had the prowess to back up their notions of nominal equality.”