CHAPTER 81: STORMBLOOD

Through the canopy of towering oaks, glimpses of pristine white marble emerged like promises of divine glory.

Jack felt his breath catch as the Ruins of Divine Convergence revealed themselves in all their magnificent splendor.

’These aren’t ruins at all,’ Jack thought with growing awe. ’This is... magnificent.’

The structure that emerged from the forest was nothing short of breathtaking.

Massive columns of pure white marble stretched skyward like pillars supporting the heavens themselves, each one carved with such precision.

The pantheon stretched endlessly in both directions, its perfect symmetry speaking of divine architecture that transcended mortal craftsmanship.

"GASP!"

Even Brother Matthias and his companions fell silent at the sight, their usual theological proclamations temporarily forgotten in the face of such overwhelming sacred beauty.

The main structure rose in tiered levels, each platform adorned with statues representing gods from every conceivable pantheon. Jack picked out figures that sparked recognition from his past life.

Greek, Egyptian, Japanese, Chinese, and a few gods he had never seen before!

"SPLASH!"

"TRICKLE!"

The sounds of flowing water drew Jack’s attention to the sacred pools that flowed through the complex.

Crystal-clear streams wound between the columns, feeding basins that reflected the afternoon sun like liquid diamonds. The water moved with purpose, following channels carved into the marble floors.

"Divine Avatar," Sister Elena whispered with reverent awe, "behold the eternal resting place of divine communion. Here, the barriers between mortal and immortal grow thin as gossamer."

Sera had grown unusually quiet, her predatory alertness replaced by something that might have been respect. Her green eyes swept over the sacred architecture with calculation, but there was no hint of her usual violent anticipation.

"Even I wouldn’t dare shed blood in a place like this," she murmured with reverence. "The gods wouldn’t take exception to such disrespect."

As they approached the main entrance, the sounds of worship grew clearer. Pilgrims from dozens of different kingdoms and cultures moved through with quiet purpose, their voices creating a constant backdrop of prayers and supplications.

Jack saw humans in fine silks kneeling before altars dedicated to gods of prosperity, while dwarven warriors offered weapons to deities of battle and forge-fire. Elven scholars read from ancient texts while halfling merchants left offerings of food and wine at shrines to harvest gods.

"CLINK!"

The sounds of offerings being placed filled the air as worshippers left tokens of their devotion. Coins clinked into donation bowls, flowers rustled as they were laid on altar stones, and precious items thudded softly as they were reverently placed before divine statues.

"So many people," Jack observed, his voice carrying wonder at the sheer diversity of the gathering. "I didn’t expect the shrine to be so crowded."

Brother Thomas nodded with satisfaction, clearly pleased by Jack’s reaction. "The Ruins of Divine Convergence serve pilgrims from across the known world. Kings and peasants, warriors and scholars, all seeking divine guidance for their earthly struggles."

The sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention to a figure emerging from the main temple.

A woman in flowing white robes moved toward them with serene purpose, her face carrying the ageless quality of someone who had been blessed by the gods.

She appeared to be perhaps forty years old, with silver streaking her dark hair and eyes that held depths of wisdom that seemed almost supernatural. Her movements were graceful without being hurried, confident without being arrogant.

"Welcome, children of prophecy," she said, her voice carrying easily across the marble courtyard despite its gentle tone. "I am Priestess Lyanna, Keeper of the Sacred Communion. We have been expecting you."

Jack blinked in surprise at her greeting. "Expecting us? How could you..."

Priestess Lyanna smiled at Jack. "Your arrival was foretold in visions three days past. The young lord who bears the mark of storms, the warrior-maiden whose scythe thirsts for battle, and the faithful who guide the prophesied one toward his destiny."

Her gaze settled on Jack with particular intensity, and he felt as though she was seeing far more than his physical appearance. "Jack Kaiser, heir to House Kaiser, chosen of the Forgotten One.."

’She knows about Draven,’ Jack thought with growing unease. ’How much do these priests actually understand about divine politics?’

"You speak of things that should be hidden knowledge," Sera said, her voice carrying a note of warning that made several nearby pilgrims step nervously away. "How does a mortal priestess know such details?"

Priestess Lyanna’s smile remained serene despite the implied threat in Sera’s tone. "Lady Nightshade, your reputation precedes you even into sacred spaces. But here, beneath the gaze of every pantheon, all knowledge flows freely to those entrusted with guiding divine communion."

She gestured toward the massive temple entrance behind her, where ancient symbols pulsed with gentle light. "The gods themselves whisper secrets to their chosen servants. Your arrival, your purposes, your true natures. All are revealed to ensure proper preparation for communion."

The conversation was interrupted by a sudden burst of electrical energy that lit up the marble courtyard like indoor lightning.

Jack spun toward the disturbance and saw a young woman stumbling backward from what appeared to be an accidental collision with another pilgrimage.

But it was the lightning crackling around her form that made Jack’s eyes squint.

Blue electricity danced between her fingers with the same natural ease that Jack had grown accustomed to in his own abilities.

Her control was impressive, immediately drawing the chaotic energy back into herself with precision.

"My apologies," she said to the pilgrim she’d bumped into, her voice carrying the refined accent of high nobility. "I wasn’t watching where I was walking."

Jack found himself moving toward her before he’d consciously decided to do so, drawn by the familiar resonance of lightning magic and something else he couldn’t quite identify.

Their collision was inevitable, two young lightning users distracted by the magnificent architecture around them. The moment their shoulders touched, both of their magical auras flared with brilliant intensity.

Purple and blue lightning intertwined in the air between them like dancing serpents, creating a lightshow that drew startled gasps from nearby pilgrims.

The electrical discharge was beautiful rather than dangerous.

"Oh!" the young woman exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise as she steadied herself against a nearby column. "I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you there!"

’Analyze!’

[Name: Charlotte Stormblood]

[Age: 16]

[Affinity: Lightning, Fire]

[Magic Talent: A]

[Status: Heir to House Stormblood]

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: Analyze skill has reached maximum proficiency]

[URGENT: Important information requires immediate attention regarding...]

But Jack wasn’t listening to the System’s notifications. His mind had gone completely blank at who he was looking at.

’Charlotte Stormblood,’ Jack thought in stunned amazement. ’She’s from House Stormblood. The most powerful lightning users in recorded history.’

And she was absolutely stunning.

But it was more than just her physical appearance that left Jack speechless. There was something about her presence, the way she carried herself with unconscious confidence.

"You’re... you’re Charlotte Stormblood," Jack managed to say, his voice coming out slightly hoarse with awe. "From the histories. Your family ended the Dragon Wars."

Charlotte’s expression shifted to surprise mixed with pleasure at being recognized. "You know our family’s legacy? Most people only remember us as lightning nobles, not the specific historical details."

She studied Jack’s face with growing interest, clearly noting his own electrical aura and the quality of his noble bearing. "And you are? Your lightning magic feels different."

"Jack Kaiser," he replied, still struggling to process what he was saying. "Heir to House Kaiser, and apparently chosen of Draven."

"The Forgotten One chose you?" Charlotte’s eyes widened with genuine respect and curiosity. "That’s... extraordinary. My family has always honored the old gods, but direct divine selection is incredibly rare."

[SYSTEM URGENT: Critical information about user’s genealogy requires—]

Jack dismissed the System notification again, completely focused on the remarkable young woman before him.

The way lightning seemed to dance naturally around her form, the intelligence in her storm-colored eyes, the graceful way she moved despite the power that radiated from every gesture.

"I’ve read about your family’s achievements," Jack said, his academic fascination overriding his social awkwardness.

Charlotte smiled at his obvious enthusiasm for historical detail. "You’ve done your research. Most nobles only know the simplified version taught to children. Are you a scholar as well as a chosen one?"

"I try to understand the forces that shaped our world," Jack replied, acutely aware that he was having the most interesting conversation of his life with someone who might be the most beautiful person he’d ever encountered.

"Charlotte, dear!" A voice called from across the courtyard, interrupting their exchange. "We need to prepare for your communion ceremony!"

Charlotte glanced toward the voice, then back at Jack with obvious reluctance to end their conversation. "It seems duty calls. But perhaps we’ll have another chance to discuss history after our respective communions?"