Chapter 296 - A Ballad for Balance (1/2)

*Eldovian Era 1714, 19th day of the 3rd month*

The group set off towards the Ruby Eyed Snake Tribe's village just a few minutes after the introductions were given. Aegin had taken over the reins of the cart, letting Rima and Tigin sleep in the back. Sevis had ridden his own horse beside Aegin, which he had gone to retrieve as Aegin, Rima and Tigin packed away their things. The other two Tribesman, Jahelo and Kaedan, brought up the rear.

There were several minutes of companionable silence before Tigin and Rima, both exhausted, fell asleep.

”So how is it that you come to know so much about the paths of Chaos?” asked Aegin.

Sevis looked over, surprised, ”What do you mean?”

”Well, my exposure to it has been minimal at best despite me now being a part of it. I just wondered how you and those here in the west seem to know so much more, even Rima knew more than I did,” Aegin said, ”It was quite disconcerting”.

”You…you are unaware?”

”It's not common knowledge where I come from. In fact, I didn't even realise there was a seventh god until I came here. The Holy Order only worsh.i.p.s six,” said Aegin.

”I see, that is quite disturbing,” said Sevis, ”After all, the world needs balance, and to only support those gods who represent the balance of the physical and natural elements is…well it does not sound right”.

”You say natural elements, then is chaos unnatural? How can there be a God for it if it is unnatural?” asked Aegin.

Sevis chuckled, ”You misunderstand. Chaos is not something that can be touched or seen with the n.a.k.e.d eye, it can only be felt and experienced through one's soul. It is a spiritual aspect that balances the hefty weight of the six worldly aspects”.

”We are all born with the potential for both Order and Chaos, for good and evil, physical deeds and spiritual. The goal of one's life should be to reach a balance between the two,” said Sevis.

”I may not know much, but I know that Order is no longer welcome in my life,” said Aegin, ”I cannot be balanced”.

”Balance is achievable within those of us who remain human,” said Sevis, ”From my understanding, the purpose of those that walk either the paths of chaos, or those of order, is not one of internal balance, but external. The Paths and those that walk them are like the origins and conduits of the world's energy. When they come into conflict, it is not in fact themselves but the world they are influencing”.

Aegin suddenly felt all too small.

”But, as I said, I have only the barest understanding, my knowledge lies in that of a warrior for my tribe, not a spiritualist,” said Sevis, clearly realising Aegin's sudden discomfort. They were silent for a while before Sevis spoke up again, ”If it is not rude of me to ask, what is your path?”

Aegin glanced over, hesitant for all of a second before he responded.

”I am a Vampire”.

Sevis nodded, an expression of enlightenment on his face. Not fear or caution like Aegin expected, ”One of the Chaos Paths that is more prevalent, and the cost of which is far more obvious than others”.

”The cost?” asked Aegin. He only had a vague understanding of such things.

Sevis nodded, ”This world is all about balance. The Chaos paths have great power on their own, but each path comes with something that must be sacrificed to disentangle them from Order and bring them fully onto Chaos' path. As I understand it, you must take your power from the blood of the living, yes?”

Aegin nodded, ”What about the Djinn? What do they sacrifice?”