The Lord of Veins | Shadow Slave

The cathedral loomed over the village, more like a divine fortress, overlooking its measly subjects. Its unnatural size could easily house the entire village population, yet only a select few---numbering in the low hundreds---were granted access to this colossal stronghold, while the rest remained below confined to their humble shacks like peasants. 

Chiseled from dark, sturdy stone, the gothic cathedral appeared almost impenetrable, its imposing presence seeming to have stood for over a millennium. Gaining entry was not so simple, one would need to either be invited to democratic election or be lucky enough to challenge one of the six leaders of the six cohorts---a term that Dex never heard before but quickly became familiar with.

He also soon discovered that Hera was one of these leaders, commanding the Cohort of Wisdom. The other cohorts---Justice, Unity, Faith, Strength, and Legacy---each had their own respective leaders. And soon, Dex was about to face one of them in battle before the entire assembly. 

He tried to dismiss his nerves, but he'd be lying if he said they weren't getting to him. He had expected a small viewing party, maybe twenty, possibly thirty---but instead, he faced a number around two hundred. About a third of them were Knights of the cathedral, and the rest took residence by either service or close personal bonds with the Knights.

"Nervous?" Esmeray's voice barely carried over the excited crowd, their loud chatter and bickering filled the air as they waited for the match to begin.

"I'm fine," Dex spoke, trying to focus on the task at hand.

He knew he could win, his memory---[Sycophant's Enshroudment]. Mainly its enchantment [Efficient Silk] allowed him to use his Aspect ability almost indefinitely. This is what saved both him and Esmeray those grueling weeks, out in the wilderness alone, this is what allowed him to slay an entire pack of Lurkers as well as an Awakened Devil by himself.

Stepping into the clearing designated for battle, a strikingly beautiful woman spoke.

"Let today mark the welcoming of another to our cathedral, Dex of the Cohort of Wisdom." 

What? I didn't even lose yet!

"There is no shame in losing—only progress." The woman continued, her voice warm, her smile gentle as she turned her attention to Dex, her gesture drawing every eye to him putting him solely and squarely in the spotlight. "Come. Prove your strength."

Dex exhaled slowly, rising to his feet. He approached the woman. Wrapping himself in his memory, the darkened silk coming alive wrapping around him.

Normally, he only wore the memory up to his neck, forcing it to only operate at seventy percent of its full potential. but this time, with the battle ahead, he needed every ounce of its power.

The crowd reacted with surprise as the mysterious memory cloaked him, his form taking a similar to a mummified wraith. Loose darkened silk strands of the memory fluttered around him as if being carried by an invisible wind. 

Then, Hera stepped forward, with a calm confident smile. The crowd then shifted from silence to her, bursting into a cheer, particularly from a designated section---her subordinates, Dex assumed.

"Scary…" Hera remarked lightly, a faint smile rising on her lips, addressing Dex's new appearance. 

But before Dex could respond, the woman who had introduced the match raised her voice again. 

"My apologies, Dex. This fight will be without the use of memories, for the safety of the participants. Aspect abilities, however, are allowed." Her smile was soft, but it didn't ease the sudden revelation of what this entailed for him.

Dex's heart sank. He knew he could win---his victory was almost certain as long as he had his memory. But now, with his most powerful asset unexpectedly restricted, his chances of winning were not certain. Still, he had an edge. He knew Hera's aspect, and he knew her flaw---a weakness he could exploit, though it would take time. He just had to outlast her, but without his memory, he wasn't sure he could manage it. 

Shit...

He unraveled his memory, letting the silk fall away to reveal his face. "I can't, I don't have anything else to wear," he said, feigning indifference. 

Hera tilted her head, an unsettling knowing smile tugging at her lips. "I expected as much. I had someone fetch you some extras. You'll need them when you join us." 

Dex's frustration boiled. Was this orchestrated? Esmeray had promised safeguards against seers, yet this felt non coincidental. 

He gritted his teeth, his frustration building. "I'll take just a minute..."

***

Grimacing, Dex changed into the provided armor, the act itself feeling like surrender. The armor held her sigil, a sigil of a great tree. 

Esmeray walked beside him back to the clearing where the battle would commence, her presence comforting. 

Esmeray spoke. "Remember, The law of attrition. You can win."

Dex smirked faintly. "I thought you didn't care who won. You get what you want either way.

Esmeray raised a brow. "True. But since we're stuck here now, it'd be nice if you didn't embarrass us." 

Dex shook his head, chuckling. What an asshole. Still, her words gave him an additional reason to win—not just for himself. 

"Now, I can't lose." He smirked as he left her side. 

Upon entering the clearing, he was handed a mundane steel blade, not exactly as sharp as he'd like, but it was a spar after all. 

He brandished his blade, coincidently Hera did the same, they looked at each other. 

"I've never sparred with real blades before," Dex admitted.

"Nervous?" Hera's smile was sweet, yet that tone always held that mockery.

"A little," Dex replied, taking his own stance.

"Adorable..." Hera said before steeling herself, taking a precise fencing stance. 

The announcer stepped forward, her voice sharp as it tore through the crowd's murmurs. "This is a fair contest. Striking blows are prohibited. Victory will be decided by subduing your opponent, rendering them unable to continue, or forcing their surrender." 

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, "Any injuries sustained will be promptly tended to by our skilled healers after the match. So, give it your all!" 

Turning fully to address the audience, she raised her voice. "Is the audience ready?"

The thunderous roar erupted, the cheers reverberating off the tall cathedral walls. 

Facing Dex and Hera once more, the announcer's tone grew steady. "Then... let the battle begin!"