I had to wander quite a bit.
Go back, then again through some gorge across a series of stone bridges over an abyss…
Run into another couple…
dozen saber-toothed cats, get pretty winded…
But still overcome…
Half the journey.
“Phew.” I ran my fingers through my disheveled hair and moved on.
Walking along a path past the umpteenth waterfall, then under a stone arch, I reached a huge ice wall, and having no other route, entered a crack in it.
The ice tunnel led me fairly quickly to a vast frozen gorge, perpetually shrouded in some kind of cool white haze.
Oh, how I came to hate caves after this.
I.
Wandered.
For.
Three.
Whole.
Hours!
One gorge and tunnel gave way to another, forming an entire labyrinth…
Full of fucking Chaurus.
Both flying ones and ones that looked like a fucking centipede-earwig!
“Kree-e-e!..” “Just die already!” I didn’t even stab — I slammed the tip of my blade into the creature’s head.
Being somewhat larger than their winged brethren, these arthropod bastards had really gotten to me.
Oh, how many times I heard their mandibles clack right in front of my face!
“Kree-e-e…” The creature was still alive.
“Die.” I pronounced firmly, channeling magical flame through the blade.
The giant crab-insect’s head bursting into flame marked its death, and I moved on, across a huge stone bridge supported by massive columns descending deep into the depths.
On the other side, I quickly found a steep staircase leading to the bottom of the gorge and headed south, into yet another tunnel.
And to more Chaurus.
Ugh, how they’re starting to piss me off!
No, seriously, where do they come from after every pilgrim like me?
It’s not like a whole crowd of Snow Elves goes around luring them back, is it?..
Is it?!
…Finally, after a total of five arthropod creatures on which I spent the last drops of my magical strength, I climbed up to what was emitting the warm radiance that permeated every cell of my being.
And that’s not even a colorful exaggeration…
The Monastery of Radiance, identical on the outside but different within, stood before me.
“You have found the Monastery of Radiance, Initiate.
You have overcome a long journey, likely full of dangers…
So tell me…
Are you ready now to honor Auri-El with the mantra, filling your vessel with His enlightenment?” An elf with slicked-back hair and a tired look rose from the steps.
Yeah…
Not the most pleasant sight.
But whatever, I went for Knight-Paladin for the skills, not the faith.
Sorry, Auri-El.
I’m a more practical person.
“Naturally.” I nodded respectfully, paying more respect to the elf himself than to our god.
“Then may Auri-El’s blessing protect you on the final path to the Inner Sanctuary and ultimate enlightenment.” The prelate bowed his head in return with equal respect, making me feel awkward.
Seriously, there was nothing hard about this pilgrimage!
It was long and tedious, but…
Not all that difficult.
What’s there to respect me for?
Standing before the pedestal with holy water, I exhaled sharply and scooped more liquid into the jug, almost filling it completely.
And…
My intuition didn’t fail me.
I wasn’t hit by gravity and weight like last time.
There were no negative effects at all.
Just…
It felt like warm sunlight passing over my body on a cold spring morning.
Literally the same sensation as when frozen skin suddenly warms up and you start shivering slightly from the temperature change…
I can’t describe it any other way, even to myself!
I’m no poet, no skald, no bard…
What else did those guys call themselves?
In short, I’m no Dandelion.
…Walking across a richly decorated and monumental-looking bridge, I stood before what was called the Inner Sanctuary.
And if I compare it to what I saw in the game…
It’s like heaven and earth.
Literally.
Everything looked somewhat similar, but the scale…
A giant, ten-meter statue of Auri-El, clearly made of some gold-like metal, looking like a Snow Elf in armor, baggy pants, a star-shaped crown, and some kind of halo behind it, with a sun depicted at the very top.
And also…
And also there were dozens, even hundreds of Snow Elves here, dressed in traditional Knight-Paladin armor.
And for some reason, they were all silently staring at me with extremely interested faces.
Suppressing the urge to shrug my shoulders, I climbed the steps with a more or less steady gait and stood before another pedestal…
But this time without holy water.
Message received.
Carefully taking the jug with both hands, I began to pour out the water…
And again felt the vessel start turning into a kind of battery, warmth spreading from it through my palms and throughout my body.
…What the?..
Squeezing my eyes shut from the light that suddenly burst from the pedestal, through the radiance blinding my eyes I could hear a female voice behind me: “Hail, O First Sword of Auri-El…” * * * Well, at least she’s not a loli.
That was the thought running through my head as I sat opposite an elf dressed in quite…
interesting garments.
I expected something more…
luminous, perhaps, from the Archbishop of Auri-El?
“And so…
I have many questions, as you’ve probably gathered…” I began on an exhale, receiving a barely perceptible nod from the woman opposite.
“And since you’ve agreed to answer them…
Who is the First Sword of Auri-El?” “As is clear from the name, it is the best warrior of our God.” Fiftiviel Auri-Elian began in a soft, measured voice, keeping her palms in a prayer position.
“A warrior who can use the aspect of Auri-El the Lightbringer, his sacred authority over the flow of time itself.” “So that’s what it was…” escaped me as I recalled what had happened with the ice giant earlier.
“You have likely already felt your new abilities.” The archbishop noted, looking at me from under the deep hood of her robe.
“They best reflect your new status.
A status that a new Snow Elf who has completed the pilgrimage receives, after the previous First Sword departs to Auri-El.” “Hmm.” I made a sound of agreement, but immediately continued: “A banal question.
Why was I chosen?
Among the Knight-Paladins there are plenty of elves who are much more experienced, more skilled than I am.” “A reasonable question.
Few of the First Swords have asked it of me…” The elf woman smiled slightly through the dark fabric.
“When the First Sword is absent, the Council of Bishops and I, as its head, comprehensively evaluate all applicants for the pilgrimage to become Knight-Paladins.
The best candidate, in our opinion, begins it first.
And then — Auri-El himself decides whether our choice meets his criteria.
If not…
We wait for a new intake of Knight-Paladins.
Since the pilgrimage cannot be completed twice, selection from among the active Knight-Paladins is impossible…
Moreover, First Swords are trained somewhat differently than Knight-Paladins.
And those who have already completed their training cannot become worthy First Swords.
Have I answered your question?” “So I fit, then…” I said thoughtfully, receiving a nod of agreement in return.
“Yes, you have.
Thank you.
And, ahem…
One more immodest question…
But are Auri-El’s criteria known to you?” “Only if you want to hear my conclusions from personal observations.” A smile again touched the woman’s barely visible lips.
“I do.” I leaned forward with interest.
“Our God does not need a perfect hero or gray mediocrity.
One who possesses perseverance, talent, and pragmatism…
The three conditions for success.” And noticing my slightly stunned look, Fiftiviel added with a light chuckle: “A bit strange to hear from the highest servant of our God?
But allow me one Revelation — Auri-El does not force us to believe in him.
He exists and will exist regardless of us.
And the desire to honor his existence with Temples and pilgrimages is our voluntary expression of will.
Have you ever seen us force anyone to believe?..” “No.” I admitted.
After all, this was one of the reasons I felt no antipathy toward faith in Akatosh-Auri-El.
As for the rest…
By elven standards, I really am extremely persistent, perhaps even talented, and certainly no one can deny my pragmatism.
It all adds up, what can I say?
“Then, I assume, you would like to hear about your future fate?” She inquired, smoothly tilting her head to the side.
“…You are very perceptive.
I do want to.” I agreed with a sigh, not asking about the possibility of refusing to be the First Sword.
No, it’s obviously possible.
But clearly very undesirable…
And what kind of idiot would refuse a de facto in-game Shout — Time Slow?
I’m certainly not one of them.
If it were a Daedra, I’d think a hundred times and probably refuse…
But Auri-El in the game lore never gave any reason to suspect him of anything nasty.
No fasting restrictions?
They don’t force you to pray 24/7 and deprive you of basic sex?
Well, fine.
Why not?
Especially since Akatosh is the prime candidate for the one who moved my soul to Nirn from Earth.
“The differences from the duties of a Knight-Paladin are not as great as you think.” After ten seconds of silence, my interlocutor began in a soothing tone.
“Essentially, the only differences are a longer training period and the eventual impossibility of transitioning from Paladin to Bishop.
Alas.” She spread her hands, also clad in dark fabric adorned with light-gold ornaments.
“I see…
The next question interests my father more than me, but…” I shrugged, finally switching to my usual style of communication instead of the annoyingly respectful one.
“Regarding my family’s inheritance…” “Being the First Sword, you are not subject to the restrictions of ordinary Knight-Paladins.
Your family’s inheritance will be inherited by you, Feator.” I was answered immediately.
“So many advantages…” I muttered under my breath.
It’s impolite…
But my paranoia is kicking in, yes!
“And you absolutely want to get disadvantages from this?” The archbishop said condescendingly.
“Your pragmatic view of things certainly pleases our God, as it will prevent you from falling into the embrace of the Daedric Princes, who are deceitful in their very essence…
But if we look at it from that perspective, a likely disadvantage would be that everyone will be interested in you.
Not only the Snow Elves, but also our southern kin…
Not to mention the Daedra I mentioned.
Moreover, you will fight on the front lines, protecting the Temple and all our people.” “Well then…” I shrugged slightly.
“That makes it clearer.
Thank you.
And by the way, one last question…
Do you, for the initiates, restock all the wildlife every time?
Otherwise I don’t see the point of some of the trials…” “Oh…” She covered her mouth slightly.
“Consider it a small secret of mine.
After all, God and his representative on earth have their own…
ways of entertaining themselves.” My eye twitched as I stared at the completely unflappable person, then I just waved my hand.
Fine, it’s not that important anyway.
“Don’t worry so much.
Perhaps in the future this secret will be revealed to you as well.” The woman said softly, rising from her seat.
“Come with me, First Sword.
I will show you our greatest temple, our greatest sanctuary that we have built for our God…”