CHAPTER 76: THIRTEENTH THRONE

Jack felt pressure building in his chest like steam in a sealed kettle. These people were asking him to make a choice that could fundamentally alter not just his own life, but potentially the fate of kingdoms.

Yet something about their certainty, their specific knowledge of his his past, suggested they weren’t just deluded fanatics.

’There has to be a middle ground,’ Jack realized, his mind searching for options that didn’t require complete surrender to their agenda.

"I have a counter-proposal," Jack said finally, his voice taking on the authoritative tone he’d learned from watching his father negotiate. "You claim to serve divine purposes, to understand cosmic forces beyond mortal comprehension. Prove it."

The three cultists exchanged glances, clearly not having expected a negotiation rather than simple acceptance or rejection.

"Prove it how?" Brother Matthias asked cautiously.

"Help me reach a holy site where I can commune directly with my patron deity," Jack said, his plan crystallizing as he spoke. "If your knowledge is genuine, if you truly understand divine politics, then you should want me to speak to my god."

He crossed his arms, lightning still crackling faintly around his form. "Let me get the answers I need from a source I trust, and then we’ll discuss traveling to Sanctorium."

Brother Matthias’s eyes lit up with something that might have been respect mixed with calculation. "You seek to verify our claims through divine testimony. Clever. The Thirteenth Throne shows wisdom beyond his apparent years."

"Stop..." Jack began, but the cultist continued as if he hadn’t spoken.

"The Ruins of Divine Convergence lie three days’ travel to the east."

Sister Elena nodded enthusiastically. "We can guide you there safely."

"And in return?" Jack asked, sensing there had to be more to their offer.

"In return," Brother Marcus said with quiet intensity, "you listen when the forgotten one confirms what we’ve told you."

Jack considered the proposal, weighing risks against potential rewards.

More importantly, he genuinely needed to communicate with Draven.

"THUD!"

"THUD!"

"THUD!"

Heavy footsteps echoed through the evening air as someone approached at a fast pace. Jack turned to see Finn emerging from the shadows between buildings, his scarred face grim with concern as he took in the scene before him.

"Jack!" Finn’s voice carried across the street with obvious alarm. "What’s going on here? Who are these people?"

The former chosen one’s one good eye swept over the white-robed figures with professional assessment, his hand moving instinctively toward where his weapons would normally rest. Years of experience with religious extremists had taught him to recognize dangerous fanaticism when he saw it.

"Children of the White Lightning," Jack replied grimly. "They seem to think I’m some kind of prophesied divine avatar destined to reshape reality."

Finn’s expression darkened considerably, his scarred features twisting into something approaching a snarl. "Sanctorium cultists," he spat, the words dripping with distaste. "I should have known. They’ve been growing bolder since news of your dragon slaying spread."

Brother Matthias turned to face Finn with polite interest, showing no sign of intimidation despite the former chosen one’s obvious hostility. "Finn the Blind Prophet. Your reputation precedes you, fallen one. How fascinating to encounter you in service to the Thirteenth Throne."

Finn’s jaw clenched hard enough to crack teeth, his eye blazing with sudden fury. "Don’t call me that name, zealot. And stay away from the boy. Whatever delusions you’re peddling, he doesn’t need them."

"Delusions?" Sister Elena laughed, the sound like crystal bells ringing in a cathedral. "What part of that seems delusional to you?"

"The part where you manipulate a sixteen-year-old into believing he’s responsible for cosmic destiny," Finn shot back, stepping closer to Jack in a protective gesture. "I’ve seen what happens to people who start believing they’re divine instruments. It never ends well."

"Finn," Jack said quietly, his voice cutting through the rising tension. "I appreciate the concern, but I can handle this myself."

The former chosen one turned to look at Jack with genuine surprise, clearly not having expected to be dismissed. But after a moment, understanding flickered across his scarred features.

Jack was no longer the confused youth who’d needed constant protection. He’d grown into someone capable of making his own decisions, even dangerous ones.

"Your choice, kid," Finn said with reluctant respect. "But if these fanatics try anything stupid, I’ll be nearby."

He melted back into the shadows with the fluid grace of someone who’d spent years moving unseen, his presence a reminder that Jack had allies watching from the darkness.

Brother Matthias waited until Finn’s footsteps had faded before turning his attention back to Jack. "The Blind Prophet speaks from pain and betrayal. His fall from grace has colored his perception of divine purpose."

"Maybe," Jack said carefully. "But his warnings about religious manipulation aren’t exactly wrong. How do I know you’re not just trying to use me for your own agenda?"

He gestured toward the thriving city around them, toward the lights glowing in windows where families gathered for evening meals. "All of this ends. Not just your kingdom, not just your continent, but everything. Every living soul is consumed by entities that view existence itself as an aberration to be corrected."

"GULP!"

Jack swallowed hard, the scope of what they were describing making his throat dry as ancient parchment.

"The Ruins of Divine Convergence," Jack said finally, making his decision. "Three days’ travel, you said?"

"And you guarantee safe passage? No tricks, no traps, no attempts to kidnap me for your own purposes?"

"By the light of the Eternal Flame, we swear it," Brother Matthias said solemnly, placing his right hand over his heart. "You will reach the ruins safely, commune with your patron deity, and receive the answers you seek. What you do with that knowledge remains your choice."

Jack studied their faces for signs of deception, but found only the absolute certainty of true believers. Whether they were right or wrong about his supposed destiny, they genuinely believed in what they were saying.

’And I need those answers,’ Jack admitted to himself.

"When do we leave?" Jack asked, his decision crystallizing as he spoke.

"Tomorrow night," Brother Matthias replied with satisfaction. "Meet us at the crossroads shrine just outside Sorne’s eastern gate when the moon reaches its zenith."

"HOOT!"

"HOOT!"

An owl’s call echoed through the evening air, somehow sounding ominous in the context of their conversation. Corvin stirred on Jack’s shoulder, the raven’s supernatural senses detecting something in the darkness that normal perception couldn’t grasp.

"Until tomorrow night, then," Jack said, stepping back to indicate the conversation was concluded. "Don’t make me regret this decision."

"The cosmos itself celebrates your choice, Divine Avatar," Sister Elena said with radiant joy. "Tomorrow begins the true fulfillment of your destiny."

The three cultists melted back into the evening shadows with fluid grace, their white robes making them appear almost ghostlike as they disappeared. Within moments, Jack was alone on the cobblestone street with only Corvin for company.

’Well,’ Jack thought as he began walking toward the estate, ’that was completely insane. Please tell me I didn’t just agree to follow religious fanatics into the wilderness based on cryptic prophecies and cosmic destiny nonsense.’

[Analysis suggests a 73.2% probability that you have indeed made a questionable decision based on insufficient information.]

’Your confidence is overwhelming,’ Jack replied sarcastically. ’Any suggestions for how to handle this situation?’

[Recommend informing your family of the cultists’ approach and their claims. Additional perspectives might provide clarity about the wisdom of this course of action.]

’You think I should go, don’t you?’ Jack asked his companion.

The response was wordless but clear. Adventure, discovery, and the pursuit of power were worth considerable risk. The raven had lived for centuries in the supernatural realm; it understood that true growth required venturing into dangerous territories.

Jack approached the estate gates, his mind already turning to the practical considerations of tomorrow night’s journey. He’d need to prepare supplies, inform his family of his temporary absence, and ensure that his various business interests continued to function in his absence.

But underneath the logistical planning lay a growing sense of anticipation mixed with dread. If the cultists were right, if there truly was some cosmic destiny awaiting him, then who knows how his life would change.

--

In the depths of the Void, ancient powers stirred with malevolent anticipation.

The God of Time’s laughter echoed through temporal dimensions as cracks spread through his prison walls.

"CRACK!"

"RUMBLE!"

"SNAP!"

The sound of reality itself begins to strain under the weight of approaching revelation.