The Erratum-Chapter 48: History.

Crossing his fingers, the Historian got comfortable and leaned back on his chair.

"Skadi has briefed me about everything.." He stated with a light tone.

"Let’s talk," The Historian locked his gaze on Cetas, "Now, what you.. obtained with your Zeal is something out of the ordinary. A nigh impossible feat, if one may say, yet you exist before me, showing that the impossible could truly be overcome."

His eyes looking reminiscent, the Historian continued, "In my long years of living, I have only encountered a single individual possessing the same feat as you.. It is.. quite nostalgic to see such talent twice. It is almost as if I were back in my teenage days."

He shook his head, letting go of any past memories that arose.

"Getting straight to the point. What you obtained is what we call as a Concept. I believe I’ve told you that this is forbidden information and I believe that you are not ready to understand the whole definition of a Concept."

"Yet, for you to understand the uniqueness of your Zeal, I will tell you only the surface. That.. shouldn’t be too tremendous on your mind. As a precaution though.."

The Historian waved his hands and casted an illusory light towards Cetas, "There. Your mind is protected by any potential corruption that may occur."

Cetas felt lightheaded as if he were devoid of any thoughts. A sort of barrier blocked his mind from thinking too deep.

Alas, he sat firmly, trying to pay attention to absorb all the information that the Historian was going to give.

Then, he listened:

"To understand a Concept one must understand its importance to us Zealots. A Concept is an abstract notion - a perception wherein its unnatural for a feeble human mind to understand. However, its purpose serves as a way of ascension, similar to a ritual per se."

The Historian cleared his throat.

’"And yet.. it is far more vast than a ritual but they coexist. A ritual for higher levels of Zeal needs the aid of a Concept. Alternatively, a Concept is only attainable through a ritual."

"What you’ve obtained is not a whole Concept in itself, but rather, a piece of the Concept. We call that a Conceptual Zeal - not entirely the Concept itself but helps a Zealot guide themselves to complete it."

"For a Pathfinder, they are naturally drawn to seeking Concepts or Conceptual Zeal. As per the name of the strata itself, their sole purpose to ascend is to find a Concept and harness its prowess."

"Of course, not every Pathfinder is lucky. Most have never even found a Concept through their lives, however, those lucky few that did.. have opened a path to ascension."

The Historian inclined his head, adjusting his round-framed glasses, "This means.. that the Pathfinders possessing a Concept are the most likely to become an Empyrean. Well, 99% of them possess a Conceptual Zeal as gaining the Concept itself is a feat reserved for when they become a Consecrated One."

"Nevertheless.. even Empyreans have a hard time mastering their Conceptual Zeal, most.. taking centuries to even glance at another piece of it. Still, their strength is not to be underestimated, an Empyrean lies at a far higher plane than the lower levels of Zeal."

The Historian snapped his hands and declared in a medium pitched tone.

"If a High-Level Pathfinder is depicted as a whale, then an Empyrean would be seen as a Great Leviathan!"

Cetas looked at awe, his eyes filled with deep curiosity as he absorbed the Empyrean’s words. Naturally, he focused his gaze towards the old man and pondered..

What is the level of the Historian?

Inclined to ask, Cetas opened his mouth, "What about you Mr. Historian.. what is your Zeal Level?"

The Historian opened his mouth and closed it once more, a grin brimming on his face, then.. he spoke with a playful tone, "Let’s say.. I’ve already attained Conceptual Zeal at an early age."

He caressed the edge of the table and traversed his finger though the middle.

Once more, Cetas asked:

"What is your Conceptual Zeal then?"

In response, the Historian maintained his wide grin and answered casually in an ancient tongue..

"Omniscience."

With eyes widening, Cetas felt an illusory wave of light pushing him backwards. Yet, he remained as if his entire body was unmoving.

Omniscience..

The word didn’t belong to the Heliosian language that the Historian familiarized Cetas to.

Instead, the tone, pronunciation, and dialect, seemed like they were far more ancient than anything that Cetas had known..

Something trembled inside of him but Cetas didn’t pry further. To get rid of the unwelcoming feeling, Cetas recalled an occurrence way before he obtained his Origin Zeal..

"I have.. a query.. When Skadi vanished in Seyil I saw a pale cream dot resembling a grain of sand, guiding me towards where her gun - the Windslinger - is located.."

"Actually, way before that, when I practiced shooting with Reid, I remember faintly gazing upon a similar grain.. It helped me in many situations.. My question is, since my second Attribute is called Sands of History, do you think that is somehow connected from that grain?"

Suddenly, Cetas gazed at the Historian and saw his eyes wide open, looking as if he heard words of inconceivability

Then, he opened his mouth and let out a shaken voice, "You.. Is it truly possible?"

He shook his head lightly, disregarding any thoughts that rose in his mind.

"It is.. not possible for your Attribute and the grain prior to obtaining your first Origin to be correlated. However.. that would mean that your existence would be something far beyond human.. no.. even Empyrean comprehension.."

"I do believe that you are not what I’m about to say.. but on the off chance that you were.. then it would mean that your entire existence is an embodiment of a Concept."

The Historian leaned forward and hunched over..

"Although it would be highly unlikely, I do have some grounded proof: One, you are from a race belonging to ancient times - a race stemming from History itself.. This would mean that the Concept of History has attached itself to you.. Perhaps ascending the ranks would aid you to attain more of the pieces of History and unlock your memories.."

"Second, when you initially arrived here at my farm, I went and glanced at the insides of your body, gazing upon your Soul. And in there... I saw.. nothing."

"In simple terms, Cetas, your body possesses no Soul. Even now, I can see nothing, only but a mere darkness that is kept within."

The Historian let go of his clasped fingers and slided them across the table.

"This is all but a theory though.. One coming from a mere speculation."

He let out a deep sigh and closed his eyes, "If you were truly an embodiment of History, Cetas.. Then that would mean that more Zealots, Dreadspawns, and Leviathans would be attracted to you.. This is known as the Rule of Divinity."

Curious about it, Cetas tilted his head and asked, "The Rule of Divinity?"

Nodding, the Historian told Cetas about the description and the aspects of the Rule of Divinity, mentioning that as he grows stronger more attraction from other Zealots would come.

As the Historian went on, Cetas felt more and more crestfallen, thinking that he brought upon many hardships towards the Aegir crew.

"...however, due to the existence of your Conceptual Zeal, I believe that you’re bound to encounter Zealots that are not of the similar level.."

Looking dejected Cetas let out a saddened voice, "Does that mean that it is better if I traversed away from the Aegir crew? My existence would only mean that they’d encounter more frequent dangers, right?"

The Historian nodded.

"It’s true. It’d be better if you went away from them," With eyes brimming with utmost seriousness, the Historian told Cetas the harsh truth.

Upon a second of silence or two, Cetas decided that he wouldn’t continue traversing with them..

However, the Historian continued in his words:

"But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t," He grinned, looking as if a sense of pride engulfed his entire face, "Don’t underestimate Skadi.. I raised that child all by myself after all.. And also.."

He snapped his fingers, making Cetas look up and focus on the Historian’s eyes.

"Don’t forget about me.. I’m always watching, after all."

*

Returning back to the reality, Cetas found himself standing in the middle of a dew-ridden grass field.

The storm had dissipated and the skies turned clear as blue. The sunshine was casted down below, reflected by the numerous amount of dewdrops in the sharp leaves of grass.

A warm breeze washed over Cetas, fluttering his hair backwards. He basked in the tranquil fields, realizing the Historian’s words.

Trust is a feeble thing.

To a Depth-Dweller like Cetas, he naturally didn’t know how to perceive it. And yet.. he chose to believe in it - to trust Skadi, to trust the crew members, and to trust the Historian.

Even if his existence spelled the attraction of stronger forces, Cetas still chose to believe in the trust that the Historian pertained to.

Looking in the horizon, he saw the members of the Aegir pirates.

The golden-haired Captain Skadi, looking ever-so faerie-like.

The bulky and fiery-red haired Galkan, looking as striking and mighty as ever!

The brown-skinned and emerald-eyed Jones, stanced in an elegant pose and a formal look.

The white-haired edgy Reid, looking as aloof as ever.

Lastly, the auburn-haired girl, waving cheerfully at Cetas!

Cetas smiled.. knowing the value that the world’s will had given to him.

Even if unsuspecting turmoil were to chance upon him and the others. He knew that they’d overcome it easily!

After all.. Skadi was there to protect them!

As Cetas ran towards the carriage, stepping through the dew-filled grass underneath, splattering the reflective liquid around his foot.

An emerging feeling arose inside of him, an unknown and foreign emotion that he had long lost.

He felt..

Happiness..